An Unconventional Opinion on Ukraine-Russia proxy war!

I call the "Russo-Ukrainian war" a proxy war. It is difficult to see it beyond the "proxy lens”. Russia annexes Crimea in 2014; arguably, Crimea is an autonomous Ukrainian territory. I can think of other ‘autonomous’ examples such as Palestine, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Scotland, Northern Ireland. It begs the question what is “autonomous”? These proto states cannot fully claim independent territorial integrity or nationhood if stronger actors potentially claim a slice of meat when the moment calls.

What is freedom? And how can any quasi (ought to be a nation) be truly free? Granted these prototypes, have a distinct geography and possibly a national spirit independent from the holding Company. However, Israel grows restless, Russia grows restless, and China grows restless. Ask these giant independent actors what their opinions are on the quite like independent states. The answer just might solve any number of problems.

Imagine for instance China telling New York, “Hēi niǔyuē, nǐ bùxiǎng chéngwéi yīgè yǒngyǒu dúlì xiànfǎ hé liánbāng zhèngfǔ de dúlì guójiā ma?” “Hey New York, don't you want to be an independent nation with a separate constitution and federal government?” The splitting up of a giant conglomerate like USA will be intriguing indeed. If it is impossible to consider the notion of a Washington Republic, how then can America picture a Hong Kong without China’s influence for example?

A gaze into the Palestine problem might reveal some concerning hypocrisy. An “honest broker” and “Jewish Fan”! A two state solution without Palestinian Statehood, suppose Palestine entreated to join NATO? The USA cannot arbitrate in Israel and hold Russia accountable for the 2014 annexation of Crimea. A double edged foreign policy puts to question America’s integrity.

Ukraine (America’s candy loving adopted Child) nationhood is not debatable. What is debatable is Ukraine’s NATO membership as a glass window peering into Russia’s backyard. Russia would not favor any such treaty that squares up her space. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict is a proxy; “hmm how do we station our troops on the black sea but not quite literally? How can we make Putin into a villainous meat grabbing Carnivore?” Perhaps Putin makes Lions blush and scurry away. Is Ukraine the victim of a Russian heist? Should American tax paying dollars wipe Ukrainian tears?

Delve a bit into the not so recent history and see how Iraq and Libya have thrived post Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi respectively. These stereotypical “terrorist anti democracy tyrannical” labeled statesmen needed to for the greater good. A Libya without Gaddafi and Iraq without Hussein was ‘justice’. Thrasymachus stated “Justice is really someone else’s good, the advantage of the man who is stronger” It is quite deductible that a Crimean annexation is justice; a Taiwan takeover will be justice. The end result is immaterial.

Consider Plato’s view that justice can be perceived as “working at that to which he is naturally best suited and to do one’s own business and not to be a busy body”. If every nation minded to the wisdom of national integrity at home and abroad, then perhaps conflict will be absurd. In that vision, Israel itself can broker peace terms with Palestine, a co-existence in some state or form. Russia will grant certain economic independence to Crimea and Ukraine and Russia can negotiate a reasonable deal on their terms. Scotland and Northern Ireland while quasi states, are prime examples on how minding one’s business works.

Whenever American dollars reach Ukraine, it spells sponsoring. Should Russia therefore be morally executed for her actions? Should the Ukrainian flag fly high alongside the American flag? These ethical rhetorical questions do not have an exact prescriptive answer. A certain principle abounds in conspiracy a crime that is guilty by association. If guilty by association principle applies, perhaps the “Russo-Ukrainian conflict” is really a “Russo-American covert warfare”.