Au Cochonnet Marin

More than ever, today’s conflicts are fought and fed by disinformation. False information, which is intended to mislead friends and foes alike.

The people of Russia, Ukraine, and the rest of the world have been fed widely different stories regarding the war in Ukraine. For Russians, Ukraine and NATO countries are the villains. For NATO countries, Russia is the aggressor and deserves retribution.

We live in a world where all wars will begin as cyberwars… It’s the combination of hacking and massive, well-coordinated disinformation campaigns. Jared Cohen

What Russia, Ukraine, or America are broadcasting to their respective populations deserves scrutiny. I am not convinced that everything we hear in America is nothing but the holy truth; on the other hand, I also believe that anything emanating from Russia is highly suspect.

Following my blog’s publication of 2 small articles regarding the situation in Ukraine, I was surprised by the visceral reaction of one of my Moscow followers. This person thinks, and I am convinced that she is sincere in her beliefs, that Ukraine and NATO provoked this war. She is obviously a patriot, and she cannot be blamed for that, but what she wrote surprised me.

I quote verbatim, warts and all.

 You say “No war “I agree with you in general, but the slogan is not applicable for this situation because the military operation unfortunately is the one way to stop genocide of Russian people in Donetsk and We are for our safety from NATO forces.”

 Genocide, according to the dictionary, is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group. I try my best to stay informed, but I never heard of a Russian genocide in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Yes, there was a real genocide in this area during WWII, and in September 1941, 33,000 Jews were slaughtered within 2 days in Babi Yar. But no genocide in this area since WWII.

“The purposes are 1. to help Russian people suffering from humiliation and discrimination in the west of Ukraine 2. To make Russian borders safety from NATO.”

Yes, disinformation is alive and well, in Russia… and the rest of the world. Truth for many people is what they want to believe.

Alain

Life is full of surprises, and the Fates who determine the course of human life, like to make heroes out of the most unlikely individuals. People like Volodymyr Zelensky.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve

In war-torn Ukraine, this is what Volodymyr Zelensky (a comedian turned politician) did, despite overwhelming odds. In dire situations, ordinary leaders usually prefer to flee rather than fight, but Zelensky chose to remain and lead the combat against the invaders.

“The United States and Turkey have both reportedly offered Mr. Zelensky an extraction out of Ukraine, but he has refused to leave. The Washington Post quoted Mr. Zelensky as saying: “The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride.”

 You cannot help liking a guy like that. In just a few short hours, he became a hero, praised by all the world’s democracies. “Ukrainians are proud of their President” and are galvanized by his resolve and steadfastness. Such a leader inspires his followers and increases their will to fight to the bitter end.

Russia’s commander in chief claims that Zelensky is a “fascist” running a “Nazi” regime. Hardly. The Ukrainian president is Jewish and lost several family members during the Holocaust. It is difficult to imagine that such a man would be a “fascist.”

Unfortunately, heroes tend to have a short lifespan. Despite some losses and some setbacks, the Russian behemoth will probably prevail and Zelensky will be in great danger. But he is a hero precisely because of this; knowing that his life is hanging by a thread and continuing to fight.

Regardless of the outcome of this detestable war, Volodymyr Zelensky deserves world admiration and a special spot in Valhalla.

Alain

As a child of WWII, I deeply empathize and sympathize with the plight of the Ukrainian people. The brutal, unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine bears an uncanny similitude with Nazi Germany’s attack on Poland in 1939.

In 1939, an overwhelming Nazi juggernaut subdued a courageous but underequipped Polish army in a matter of days. The same fate awaits Ukraine which is no match for the Russian giant.

But this unthinkable aggression could be the beginning of the end for the wolf in sheep clothing who has ruled Russia for the last 20 years. Invading a weaker country is one thing; keeping it indefinitely under its thumb is another one.

The similitude of Hitler’s and Putin’s actions is undeniable. Russia is already the largest country in the world with an enormous area of 17,098,250 square kilometers. By comparison, Canada, the second-largest country in the world is half its size with 9,879,750 square kilometers.

But still, this is not enough for the Kremlin’s ogre. Like Hitler, he wants to extend his hegemony over an even larger area. But unlike in 1939, the Russian people are not overwhelmingly enthusiastic about their Capo di tutti capi’s actions. Small demonstrations have already started in Russia and around the world, and they will intensify as days go by.

The Russian people will also feel the pain. In the coming weeks, due to the economic pressure applied by the West, oligarchs and plain folks alike will see their standard of living deep significantly. Soon they will start to grumble, and later, when pressure intensifies, no amount of vodka is going to prevent them from rioting.

The end will come with the imploding of the Kremlin’s monopoly. It will start when the Russian casualties will become known to the public at large, and intensify with the increased cost of living. It might take a little while, but plain Russian folks are not as fanatical as the Hitlerian hordes. They don’t crave more territory, they just want more freedom and a better standard of living

Just like in the Godfather’s saga, the “Capo di tutti capi” will meet his fate at the hands of his own entourage. And it will be a grim ending for the man who desperately wanted to be the unrestricted “Tsar of all the Russias.”

Shortly after the erection of the Berlin Wall, in 1963 President Kennedy said in a speech “ich bin ein Berliner” and today like him, I am saying “I am a Ukrainian”.

Alain