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73 sats \ 6 replies \ @TNStacker 3 Jul \ on: Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine? earth
Wars are always about resources. Russia wants Ukrainian resources, including human on their side and not NATO. Had the Russian supporter candidate beaten Zelenski, there would have been no need for armed conflict. They could have continued like they are in Georgia.
Countries go to war due to fear, honor or interest
Thucydides
Fear of NATO expansion
Russian power and prestige
Oil fields
Buffer zone and a neutral Ukraine
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This is the realist view of foreign relations and it seems to be the way Putin and Trump view foreign relations. In my opinion when people ignore this lens when view conflict they are missing a huge obvious angle. In order to understand conflict and relations I think one should know how to use multiple lens. Then you begin to understand the many sides in a much more detailed light.
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In contrast, most US presidents have the liberal view (this is not liberal v conservative) of relations. Its an ideological view focused on promoting the ideals of democracy. The idea they push is that if they can spread democracy and free trade we can eliminate war.
In practice this view hasn't actually panned out so well. Take a look at the middle east for example. It sounds good and knowing how this lens works is useful to understand how a ruler coming from a realist view would conflict with one holding a liberal view.
This is basically how most people don't understand conflicts like the one between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is realist and Ukraine or NATO is coming from an idealistic liberal point of view.
If one understands that Putin is looking at the "practical" and you look at a map of NATO nations you can better understand the conflict.
The world is not as simple as the media and the rulers of the world would have you believe. It is full of bad guys and few if no good guys. NATO might be pitching the liberal world order but that doesn't mean there aren't wealthy bankers, arms dealers, and elites that see the world through the realist lens. Follow the money. Always.
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This US/NATO liberal view sure takes a lot of bullying military power.
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Indeed. Honestly, I think few those that espouse this view actually believe it. Or they are useful idiots manipulated by the power elite.
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The sinews of war is money
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