Covid, War, and the applause of strangers

The politicians were under attack. The invisible enemy did not discriminate. All were in danger. Fear was rampant and the experts failed to calm the people. There was much they knew that was not communicated and there was much that they did not know which they failed to admit. Another lesson learned.

But the politicians were under attack. Their political opponents took full measure of the misery to bring down those in power. Countries wobbled, the global community tettered. Some politicians held on to power, some became unemployed. Deaths went up, even with vaccines, and the public grew more anxious and instability began to creep into daily life. The politicians were starving for a message to sell. Anything to divert the public’s attention.

And then Russia invaded Ukraine. It was simple. The bully and the underdog. Everyone loves the victim (except if we are one). It makes us feel principled, blameless and ethical. The politicians sold this as good versus and evil. They were virtuous and courageous in their denunciations. The politicians calculated that there was much to gain and little to lose. Let’s get on this train and ride it until it runs out of fuel.

And Ukraine a beleaguered nation, its only importance to the world was that it was stuck between Europe and Russia. The balance of power between Russia and Europe would be determined by the outcome of the war. Neither NATO nor the USA came to aid with their soldiers. But everything else was on the table. Risks increased for the international community banded together to serve a feast of sanctions. Basking in the sunlight of righteousness was worth the risk.

What was truly amazing was how Ukraine, with a weak hand, was able to mobilize global opinion to support them with sanctions and sympathy. This didn’t happen in Cambodia, Syria, and other civil wars. It was a combination of genius and guts. And it worked. But will the Ukrainian President know when to get off the stage and make a deal. The Ukrainians may still lose the war as international condemnation and sanctions may not be enough to win.

Europe’s bravery covers their fear. It’s neither irrational nor imaginary, the horror may become real. The only hypocrisy was to keep the Russian gas pumping through the fuels lines. Tensions will grow, the price of energy will increase, and the widening of the conflict may unfold into a nightmare.

But the politicians keep on ramping up the outrage and put aside their responsibility to find an off-ramp for Russia, Ukraine, and their neighbors.