Defining World War

When and how do we define if we are in a World War? Let’s see, this would be WW III. Our thoughts are swinging in this direction as we react on the reality of what Russia has done with Ukraine.

The global community has responded with diplomatic protocols and economic sanctions. The latter will hurt Russia, already have. Sadly, they do not have immediate effect to thwart Putin’s decisions. Only when the Russian people feel the pain and rise and speak their truth to Putin, will sanctions produce desired international outcomes.

In the meanwhile, Ukraine is being destroyed. Cruelly, civilians are targeted. Public institutions are being bombed, infrastructure is being destroyed, and refugees in the millions are escaping their homeland. Putin is set on controlling Ukraine’s territory as Russian land, even within redrawn Russian borders. This will give Russia immediate borders with NATO countries. This is his threat, and it is very real.

He is not looting Ukraine for its people or asset value. He needs Ukraine for territory and proximity to other nations. His brutal destruction of Ukraine is a warning to all the other neighboring nations from the old USSR. They will be next if they do not cooperate.

The peril of Putin is larger than Ukraine. It is immense when nuclear power plants are included in his design. Europe’s largest nuclear power plant is in Ukraine and Russia now controls it. Russia aims to control all 16 nuclear plants residing in Ukraine. Russia also holds authority over Chernobyl’s wreckage and potential nuclear radiation.

Putin can threaten all of Europe with these tools. Death is one such threat. Adequate power supply is another. Along with Europe’s reliance on Russia’s supply of natural gas and oil products, Putin has much power to exercise over the wellbeing of Europe. And by proximity, China.

Be aware that Russia and China have been hard at work gaining supply lines to world regions like the Middle East, India, Far East and Africa. The disruptive power China and Russia have over the rest of the world is enormous. Make no mistake about it.

Now, China is nervous about Putin’s war in Ukraine. China is caught in the middle of the international power structure on this issue. What they do in the next few weeks will be telling.

Meanwhile the rest of the world community must prepare for some hard decisions. The United Nations is quite powerless to control any of this process. It will be member nations who decide what to do independent of the UN.

Are we in a World War? Not yet, but we are on the cusp of one. And yes, this will be World War III unless we can act together with other nations to stop Putin. That’s the bottom line.

What is done after that is a crucial unknown. First, we have to stop the hostilities and civilian deaths. Second, we have to stop Putin in his tracks. Third, we empower the UN to do its job or get out of the way.

World peace belongs to all of us. We are all involved. One nation does not control our destiny. But one nation sure can mess it up.

March 16, 2022

  

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