Summary

The article discusses the escalating threat of autocracy as exemplified by Putin's war on Ukraine, drawing parallels to historical acts of aggression and the potential for nuclear conflict.

Abstract

The piece, presented as an opinion piece "From the Mountain," draws attention to the unique and alarming nature of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, likening Putin's actions to those of historical autocrats like Hitler. It highlights the use of banned weapons such as 'vacuum bombs' and 'cluster bombs' against civilian targets, and the irony that Ukraine once possessed the third-largest nuclear arsenal but gave it up in exchange for security assurances that are now being violated. The article criticizes the global response, particularly the United States, for being slow and inadequate, and emphasizes the need for a stronger stance against Putin's aggression to prevent a larger-scale conflict.

Opinions

Putin's war on Ukraine is seen as a personal vendetta, akin to Hitler's rewriting of history, with severe implications for European stability.
The use of outlawed weapons like 'vacuum bombs' and 'cluster bombs' is condemned as a form of indiscriminate mass killing, with Russia being called out for their use against civilians.
The Budapest Memorandum, which assured Ukraine's security in exchange for its nuclear disarmament, is portrayed as having been undermined by Russia's actions, with the US and UK also deceived.
The article expresses frustration with the limited and delayed response of the United States compared to Europe's more proactive measures to support Ukraine.
There is a call to action for the world, especially the US, to recognize the severity of Putin's threats and the potential for nuclear war, urging a decisive response to halt his aggression.

The Rise and Fear of Autocracy

An Opinion Piece — From the Mountain

The world has been engulfed in various wars for decades. The war on Ukraine by Russia is different. Many of the wars over the past 50+ years have been civil wars with other nations involved for any number of reasons, mainly greed. This war of Russia against Ukraine involves a degree of greed as well. They all do. But this one is different.

Tales of a Madman

Putin wishes to re-write history. To do so he has decided to follow the playbook of another autocrat, Hitler. In doing so he has turned the war into a vendetta against all of Ukraine, its government, and its citizens. His military has been stymied, his soldiers killed. Many of his soldiers are teenagers, conscripts forced into a war they were told was a military training exercise. Many of them have given themselves up. This war isn’t what they signed up for or were told they were sent to be involved in.

World War II was horrific. It ended with two nuclear bombs detonating over Japan. Eventually, Hitler realized his dreams of world conquest were over.

Putin, unlike Hitler, is not as of yet seeking world dominance. He does seek dominance over Europe and a return to the days of Soviet dominance. European dominance is exactly what Hitler wished to achieve and how he started out.

For Putin, the war he intends may have yet to really begin as he threatens the use of nuclear weapons against all who oppose him, in this case using these weapons of destruction to start and further World War III.

Putin’s Russia has a history of starting wars and invading smaller countries that were formerly a part of the old Soviet Union. But this war against Ukraine is different. Here’s how.

A Poor Man’s Nuclear Weapon

In addition to his threats against other bordering nations and threats to use nuclear weapons, Putin has introduced weapons henceforth outlawed by most all nations of the world and is using these weapons against citizens. These weapons include ‘vacuum bombs’ and ‘cluster bombs’. They are designed to kill masses of people within large areas.

“Thermobaric weapons, or vacuum bombs, are a type of two-stage munition that create enormous explosions. Launched in a rocket or artillery shell, the first explosive charge spreads an aerosol akin to vaporized gasoline over the area. A second charge then ignites the aerosol fog, creating a huge blast, flames, a large pressure wave and a vacuum as oxygen from the surrounding air is sucked up.

Johnson said thermobaric munitions are sometimes known as “a poor man’s nuclear weapon,” because they can obliterate any humans in the vicinity. Victims can be killed by the blast or the accompanying shock wave, and the subsequent vacuum can rupture people’s lungs.”

Russia is now using these against Ukraine.

Cluster Bombs

“A single cluster bomb attack can deliver dozens or hundreds of submunitions which can saturate an area up to the size of several football fields, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition, which campaigns against their use. That makes them the weapon of choice for forces looking to inflict damage as widely as possible.”

Cluster bombs, as well as vacuum bombs, have already been used against hospitals, pre-school and schools, residential areas, housing complexes, and apartment buildings. One was just used on a train station as hundreds of women and children were waiting to evacuate the city and country. The use of cluster bombs by Russia against civilians has been ongoing for 6 days.

Third Largest Nuclear Power in the World

Another difference with Russia’s attack on Ukraine is one few may either not remember or know about it. Ukraine was the third-largest nuclear power in the world with over 5000 weapons and warheads of various sorts.

The Arms Control Association has a historical reference and timeline of nuclear weapons in Ukraine here. Briefly, after a number of years and agreements, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear military capabilities. The was agreed to with the US, Russia, and the UK.

1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances

“To solidify security commitments to Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances on December 5, 1994. A political agreement in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Accords, the memorandum included security assurances against the threat or use of force against Ukraine’s territory or political independence. The countries promised to respect the sovereignty and existing borders of Ukraine. Parallel memorandums were signed for Belarus and Kazakhstan as well.”

Currently, Ukrainian activists and Parliament members are outraged. One will understand when they review these agreements. Ukraine was lied to by the Russians while the US and UK were hoodwinked as well. Ukraine has been under attack for almost a decade because it gave up its nuclear military power. They already have lost, through a 2014 war with Russia, Crimea.

They are now losing more territory, even while giving the Russians more than they anticipated. Ukraine is being threatened with a nuclear attack by Russia using the very weapons Ukraine agreed in good faith to give up.

Lessons Still Unlearned

We as a world watched Hitler begin this very way as he grew in strength and size leading to WWII. The United States and others promised this would never be allowed again. Thus came to be the United Nations and NATO, and various agreements including the Soviet Union.

Yet here we are, literally watching a madman, on television around the world, purposefully attacking civilians, hospitals, churches, train stations, residential areas with weapons that are outlawed worldwide.

Europe has been the leader in providing assistance to Ukraine, not the United States. Europe cut off access to Russian oil and gas. The US has not, as we import a couple of million gallons a day so as to protect Americans from higher prices. Europe has blocked Russian businesses and airlines from trade and airspace. The US did not until after Europe did so. Europe wants to allow Ukraine into NATO. The US won’t discuss this.

Our response has been limited and late. While other nations were providing weapons to Ukraine, the US was “checking with their lawyers” for legality. This sums up pretty well our response as a nation.

Conclusion

At some point in time, in the very near future, we as a nation and a world will have no choice but to face the reality of a madman now openly willing to attack multiple nations. Ukraine may be the first of several. Daily he threatens the use of nuclear weapons, and most believe him as they should.

But there will be a time, very soon, that we and the rest of the world must be ready to understand that Putin must be stopped. Otherwise, what we are witnessing now, will continue.