This is an important article because there are strong parallels between Europe in 1914 and the Ukraine/ Russia situation today.
In 1914 blindness and overconfidence ruled the day. Pretty much the same now.
No disrespect meant to any FReeper, but we see a bit of that here.
“Russia is 100% correct, and here’s why…”
or
“Ukraine is 100% correct, and here’s why…”
The German generals knew Russia was quickly strengthening in 1914, and the thought was, “It’s now or never”, and when Czar Nicky decided to mobilize, despite the personal pleas from his cousin, The Kaiser, that gave the German generals the Casus Belli they needed.
I do not see any parallels between Europe in 1914 and Ukraine/Russia today.
Let me repeat - “no parallels”
Why?
Great War:
1. A system of mutual defense alliances: Austro-Hungary + German Empire + Ottoman Empire + Kingdom of Bulgaria + (initially) Kingdom of Italy v/s Tsardom of all Russia’s + Republic of France + the United kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland/British Empire etc.
Currently: There is the defense alliance of NATO, but Muscowy has no such defense alliance or indeed allies beyond vassal states of Syria, and Iran.
2. Nationalist jingoism: we all-good, enemy all-bad
WWI: this was wide-spread
Currently: Muscowy has this projected by the government and the 50+ believe it, the younger ones don’t, I don’t see this anywhere else - not even in Ukraine.
3. Darwinistic concepts of nationalism:
WWI: survival of the fittest “race” believed by most
Curr: Muscowy promotes it, the 50+ believe it, the younger don’t. Other countries don’t have this - neo-Darwinism died with 1945.
4. An Arms race:
WWI: heavily a factor
Curr: this is not even a contest as the USA is literally decades ahead. Countries compete in niches
as to the “100% correct” - I don’t subscribe to that in the current war. And more importantly we need to separate “Russia” from “Putin”