The crazy show going on, as Norman said WW1 begun with a gunshot but less known is the work of the kings and presidents of the time to block it.... no ruler wanted war still they got it and the end of the kingdom-states!
Rulers have very little real power, they sit atop a very complex system and have very few reals effective instruments to steer it. Looking at governments, we can see that changing the governing parties usually didn't change objectives or instruments to get them, Obama "Pivot to Asia" (military and economic) become Trump "economic war" to China (and military buildup in Pacific) and Biden confirmed anything his predecessors did.
Putin probably wasn't looking for Ukraine war, but had few options because internal pressures and a faint hope for a "fake war" as when did get Crimea, he had to walk in a situation that is opposite to the interest of his nation, but also of his own:
-he addressed the demographic problem as the first one during his first mandate, but have to spend lives of reproductive age males to make war
-had worked to make Russia the bridge between East and West getting benefits as independent mediator but now is dependent on Chinese economy and to North Korea weapons
-he had built a narrative of alternative role of Russia as alternative global policemen to the USA (and ONU) but now is clear that couldn't (Nagorno-Karabakh war) and is perceived as a villain for some or as partner in crime for others
Dictators, presidents or religious leaders have really less power than we figure, they cling to their position for petty personal benefits and usually fumble in doing what they have to, Biden did a poor Afghanistan retreat that was still something that all was looking at, but can't change the course of events!
If a ruler could change the history, Marcus Aurelius had all what could hope for, still even this mighty figure that had the power of the Roman Imperium as a tool couldn't change or even postpone his trajectory to oblivion....
Yes...
And still those who follow French politics can see one don't need to be an old man to cling to power ;)
Good point!
The crazy show going on, as Norman said WW1 begun with a gunshot but less known is the work of the kings and presidents of the time to block it.... no ruler wanted war still they got it and the end of the kingdom-states!
Rulers have very little real power, they sit atop a very complex system and have very few reals effective instruments to steer it. Looking at governments, we can see that changing the governing parties usually didn't change objectives or instruments to get them, Obama "Pivot to Asia" (military and economic) become Trump "economic war" to China (and military buildup in Pacific) and Biden confirmed anything his predecessors did.
Putin probably wasn't looking for Ukraine war, but had few options because internal pressures and a faint hope for a "fake war" as when did get Crimea, he had to walk in a situation that is opposite to the interest of his nation, but also of his own:
-he addressed the demographic problem as the first one during his first mandate, but have to spend lives of reproductive age males to make war
-had worked to make Russia the bridge between East and West getting benefits as independent mediator but now is dependent on Chinese economy and to North Korea weapons
-he had built a narrative of alternative role of Russia as alternative global policemen to the USA (and ONU) but now is clear that couldn't (Nagorno-Karabakh war) and is perceived as a villain for some or as partner in crime for others
Dictators, presidents or religious leaders have really less power than we figure, they cling to their position for petty personal benefits and usually fumble in doing what they have to, Biden did a poor Afghanistan retreat that was still something that all was looking at, but can't change the course of events!
If a ruler could change the history, Marcus Aurelius had all what could hope for, still even this mighty figure that had the power of the Roman Imperium as a tool couldn't change or even postpone his trajectory to oblivion....
the sarajevo moment
june 1914, a single bullet sets off ww1
exactly a century later, a single bullet made Trump the next POTUS
unstable, even more so with all his crazy hangers-on , far more dangerous than he is.---willing to do anything to stay in power.
he now has carte blanc from the supreme court to do what he wants
trust me---he will
The simple truth is always the most accurate.