Currently, the Republic of Crimea is once again under Russian control and will become a full member of the Russian Federation before the end of the month. This occurrence is unsurprising for these two major reasons:
1) Since the Greek Empire, Crimea has been conquered by someone.
2) A majority of the Crimean citizenry is ethnically Russian and, therefore, holds an allegiance by blood more to Russia than to the Ukraine.
It is understandable that the Republic joined the Federation; however, that does not make it tolerable, much less right. This annexation — as well as the conquering of Georgia in 2004 — is not only an illegal, unprovoked and imperialist action, but it also fosters memories of the annexations of Austria and Czechoslovakia 75 years ago. So we, as Americans and peace-loving people, must ask if we shall sit idly and allow Putin to recreate the old Soviet Union.
The one thing deterring Putin from war is oil. The Russian economy is so dependent on its oil exports to Europe, East Asia and other parts of the world that alienating itself in trade is to destroy itself. All foreign investment from the industrialized democracies — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, — would diminish, as it is currently doing. China would be left as the sole major economic ally. China is, however, a hard book to read. Its interests are global, making it crucial for Mr. Xi Jinping — the current leader of the Communist Party and China — to know who to favor in this crisis. If he supports the wrong side, China’s wealth would sink and cause the people to revolt; if he favors the right side, his power expands further in the world of trade.
To citizens of the United States and students of Elizabethtown College, this is nothing but a toxic situation. World War III and the selective service, better known as the draft, is still far off, and chances are we shall never see it rear its ugly head again. It is, however, a distinct possibility and a terrifying one to boot. The fine gentlemen (and the ladies, should the selective service be amended for their eligibility) of the country might be called to arms to aid our brethren of the Ukraine, but chances are that this situation will, in the end, be as the Suez Canal crisis in the middle of the 20th century. Everyone gets upset and then we move on.
The possibility of war is just that: an improbable possibility. We are in the longest-standing peacetime the world has seen in centuries, and while we are due for a war, people are generally hesitant to allow one to happen on their soil. Just stay calm and do what you can to support both your government and Ukraine. Remember that even if you think you are not doing as much as you could, you are probably doing more than Congress will.
