Sanctions have been a weapon for the West these many decades. Promote global trade, see pretty well anything to other nations and their economies until these trading partners piss you off.
Example: The Ukrainian-Russian War. For centuries these two combatants were partners, working within a Royal and then Soviet Empire. Ukraine develops nationalistic ambitions and achieves nationhood. Russian Oligarchs attempt to control Ukraine’s economy with little luck. Ukraine has its own Oligarchs, former government officials have gone rouge, gaining control of the Ukrainian Economy. This is a war of attrition between Oligarchs, except Western Nations also have their attention on Ukrainian Natural Resources, and attempt to isolate Russia Economically and Socio-politically. The West freezes personal and political national accounts and boots Russia out of most international events and sports. The West invites Ukraine into NATO while filling this country with massive amounts of weapons. Without declaring a war on Russia, America, NATO, The EU and others attempt to damage Russian Industry and its economic structures. The Russian Leadership is attacked by using international banks to freeze and deny the use of their accounts.
Who suffers? So the Rich are perhaps deny denied products, the ability to travel freely, and also may have to be happy with Russian Champagne instead of French Wines. BoHo 🙁 These leaders of Russian Industry, Government and the higher class do not suffer like the average Russian, the workers, teachers, farmers, techs and shop workers.
There is a void found within the grocers and auto shops of Russia. True scarcity of essential products these Russians need to survive. Why would the West impose these sanctions? Who are they really hurting?
Why the little guy and girl, the worker. The West wants to hurt them greatly, so much so that once their economy begins to fail, and their kids go without food, electricity or any essential “The downtrodden People” will put pressure upon their government to change their ways. It may even be hoped that a “democratic” revolution may happen. Would not President Biden, Prime Minister Trudeau or The Leaders of the EU not like this to happen. Get rid of President Putin and “The Oligarch Soup” that rules Russia. All wars have casualties, Except it will not be those who started the war, but the little guy, their family and neighbour are who will suffer and possibly die.
How weak can the West be to use such weapons against families just like yours, whose only crime it is to be Russian, North Korean, Iranian and so on? America, with its allies, has used this weapon many times before, just not so gleefully. The West has the chance to crush one of its main political and economic competitors. Today Russia, perhaps tomorrow China. If the West goes all out, they have found a way to manipulate and forcefully transform a society. It is maybe effective in the long run. Much depends on how long Ukraine can survive. Once all this war-mongering ends, they will all be back to regular business again. Did the West simply provide Putin with an accident ending his regime? America has invaded many nations and assassinated many unwanted leaders in the past. They look upon the Afghan Genocide of mass death caused by the International isolationism of The Taliban. The ends will often justify the means, and America has as much blood on its hands as do the Russians. They do not have money to feed the poor and starving globally but find billions of dollars to kick Russia’s Financial-Political Ass.
They all talk about the importance of diplomacy while they ship more weapons to Ukraine, all the while Ukrainians and Russians die, killing each other.
“It is very queer that the unhappiness of the World is so often brought on by small men”(Erich Remarque-All Quiet on the Western Front). Only the little amongst us suffer, a brother, sister, mother or father, a child or cousin. We are all the same. We allow “our leaders” to dictate their will to us.
Remember a word of command made these silent figures our enemies, and yet a word of command might transform them into our friends.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
