Left, Right, Center: Russia
Image provided by @sampowl.
As a kid growing up in Ronald Reagan’s America, we learned that Russia was the enemy. Their economic system and the order of their society stood as the antithesis of everything we held true. They were godless communists, hellbent on destroying our way of life. We had to remain vigilant, keep fighting for our ideals, and remain that shining city on the hill.
Then, after decades of nuclear weapons pointed at each other, proxy wars, espionage, close calls, grand speeches, and even grander gestures, the USSR fell. For America, it was a day of celebration. In the court of public opinion, democracy, capitalism, and our ideals had won the day. From the ashes of a rival, America would emerge as the world’s lone superpower.
In the wake of that fall, America would welcome a democratic Russia into the world order. Armed with a new government and economic system, our old enemy would begin to become an ally. This transition would not be without its own hardships. The identity of Russia would change, and its people would be asked to shoulder the weight.
In those hardships, the Russian people would call upon a small and callous leader hyper fixated on Russia’s former glory. He longed for a Russia returned to the status of a global superpower. His country would not be second tier to anyone. He pushed and pulled the country toward authoritarian rule with promises of returned greatness. In his authority, dissent would be squashed, oligarchs would grow more powerful, and the map would begin to resemble a game or Risk.
Threatened by NATO, America, and democracy on their doorstep, an aggressive Russia began fighting back. First within its own borders, and then in former territories and countries newly freed from the shadow of the Soviet Union.
With the whole world watching, they invaded the sovereign and democratic country of Ukraine without being provoked. Outmatched and outgunned, Russia would claim Crimea. Unsatisfied with stealing just this strategic outpost on the Black Sea, Russia’s ambitions turned to Ukraine. With a full-scale invasion, Russia set out to conquer the Ukrainian people. The goal seemed to be to return them to the fold of the empire. While verifiable data is hard to find, it is estimated that Russia's power grab has caused the death of some 300,000-500,000 people.
In American politics, the evolution of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a fascinating debate to witness. In my estimation, wars of democracy and sovereignty are exactly the types of wars begging for America’s involvement. Where a war in Iraq felt unjustified and unnecessary, the war in Ukraine felt fully aligned with our ideals.
In those early days, the American public fully supported the people of Ukraine in their struggle. While our political leaders shied away from committing troops to combat, we made it clear that weapons, resources, and sanctions were available. Rallying the international community, we pushed back with every resource available.
It is so clear to me that these investments save Ukraine from falling completely, but what began in 2022 is now approaching its fourth year. The American public’s attention span has grown short. Political patience has grown weary. The war has entered a stalemate, and the war feels unwinnable. Now, the question before the American public and our leaders feels profound, but not as profound as the question before the Ukrainian people. Should Russia be allowed to claim the land they have stolen through an unlawful war, with hopes that the war will finally meet its end?
As a lifelong Democrat, I cannot believe I am about to type these words, but I cannot help myself. What would Ronald Reagan think of this moment in our history? Reagan and his kind turned the USSR into a boogeyman. They forced us to fight wars all over the globe, all in the name of democracy. They turned us into an international police force focused on fighting for democracy wherever it might need a champion. Now, when Ukrainian democracy needs a champion, we capitulate to the whims of a war criminal and the antithesis of all that we preach.
If Ukraine is forced to cede land unlawfully stolen from them by a megalomaniac in direct opposition to American ideals, the world will write a dark chapter in democracy’s story. Once upon a time, this was something those occupying the political left, right, and center could agree on without hesitation. Now, I feel unsure. More than that, I feel brokenhearted for the people of Ukraine. They deserve a champion. They deserve American leadership. They deserve a new Ronald Reagan.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
As a member of the factory, you are taking a stand for human powered creation.
