Kremlin Fuss
DC 9.19am
In 2010-2011, I wrote a curious thesis, 210+ pages, still the thickest thesis ever in IR (International Relations) UGM — maybe the thickest thesis ever in IR throughout Indonesia, called “Gaza Strip: and Energy Access: Prolonged War Israel-Palestine.” My lectures had often said to me, “Why do you write about Israel - Palestine so much? Why is it so important to you?” I would have thought it was obvious. But if people were asking — it was not.
2006, just days after the Final FIFA World Cup in Germany, hundred Palestinian in the Gaza Strip were killed, slaughtered by sophisticated bombs by Israel. 2000, just days after Final Euro 2000 in Belgium - the Netherlands, hundred Palestinian, trapped in Mosque Al - Aqsa, just 300 ft from Israelis the Western Wall, and slaughtered by the Israelis Defence Force inside the Mosque. Killing not only one, inside the Mosque Then, the Second Intifada started. If the world would leave Palestine alone — simply let it be, let it live with peace, not slaughtered
Today is Day - 555 war of prolonged Russia - Ukraine war. The Ukrainians are defending themselves. I admire them a great deal. But because of this war, my friend, an Indonesian citizen in Europe countries, was, maybe in 3 weeks, decide to “not turning on heater”, frozen between minus 11 celsius until minus 20 celsius, to saving a money. Frozen with her husband and her son. Fortunately, my close friend is still alive.
Someone wrote to say that I was a “partisan” in Ukraine, when I should be more neutral. Since a long time ago, I started studying IR (International Relations), and I chose a pacifist stance. Even until my mom gets killed —-nearly killed actually, because my friend in IR doxes my family and then some truck hits my mom, I keep to (choose to be) pacifist.
A different reader, who writes thoughtfully, said, “As grossly evil as Russia’s invasion is, that evil does not make the people and government of Ukraine free of all sin. They are human, given to all the human failures. It’s not lesser evil, Prada”
So are (brutal) Israelis. More than ever, they are at one another’s throats. There are people in the Israeli government right now who I think are absolute skunks.
There are just a few countries whose very right to exist is challenged. I don’t like the government of Russia very much, but I have been learning the Russian language plus Ukrainian language since the war started. Or the government of China very much, but I am learning Mandarin. Or the government of Cuba very much, but I was learn Spanish. Etc. But I don’t know a person who thinks that Russia, China, or Cuba doesn’t have a right to exist.
If a foreign power invaded Russia, in order to subjugate Russia, committing mass murder and mass rape against the Russian people — torturing and terrorizing without surcease — I would be hollering for Russia all day long and waving a Russian flag.
Because too long ambiguity of the West government policy for Indonesia since 1960s, a lot of Indonesian leaning to loving - supporting Russia rather than Ukraine.
And if I were Russian, I would say, I hope, about the Ukraine war: “Not in my name.”
There is such a thing as right-and-wrong. “Lesser Evil.” Such a thing as good-and-evil. A lot of people denied it, when I was coming of age. They thought it was silly, naïve, simplistic. I did not. (This is one of the reasons I became a conservative.)
I agree with General Mark Alexander Miley, who regrets that the Ukraine government has not tried to negotiate with the Kremlin side since October - November 2022 before harsh winter last year (6 months after war started). The U.S. is already giving around US$43 billion for military assistance, and not counting NGO and or individual donations for Ukraine, not counting Europe support.
I also agree with (retired General) David Howell Petraeus, the retired Army general and former CIA director, who said that the Ukraine war “is about as clear a right-versus-wrong as we’ve seen.”
Since February 24th, 2022, 3.22am Kyiv time or 4.22am Moscow time, the whole country has been mobilized, of necessity. People from all walks of life have fought and died, trying to repel the invader, trying to save their country. “Ordinary” people have died, of course. So have well-known people, including ballet dancers, actors, and athletes.
But there are also a lot of Ukrainians abroad. In Bali Indonesia, in Phuket Thailand, in Hong Kong, in Adana - Istanbul - Bodrum - Ankara, in Dubai, etc, daily activity since Day 1 of war until now just having fun with rave party. Party on the beach, more Heineken or Red Bull or Johny Walker in the beach from morning until noon, then at night wild party at the pub. Repeated, daily.
Are U.S. or European countries wrong to transfer money?
I know The Hadid is Palestinian. I know DJ Khaleed is Palestinian. The Hadid Family love to party, same as DJ Khaleed. But I can't find other Palestinian enjoying the world. 99% Palestinian are slaughtered by Israel, 24 hours nonstop.
Isn’t it amazing that the Ukrainians are still standing, a year and a few months later? Yes, it is amazing, and it has been amazing to see firsthand. Deeply moving. Every layer of society has come together to produce this result: this valorous defense of hearth and home. It’s hard to put into words.
Although other Ukrainians enjoy the party, nonstop since Day 1 war until now Day 555 and still counting.
Of course, many, many people think and feel differently. Some are neutral; some are flatly on the other side. It was ever thus, even in the most black-and-white conflicts. It was thus during World War II. But memories fade.
This war started not in February 2022 but in February 2014 (Crimean War). How naive to think Russia wouldn’t escalate further to keep Crimea, which is integral to Putin’s own legacy. I am very aware of what Russians did to people in the occupied territories. It would be inhuman to leave them in this gray zone without any protection.
Allow me to repeat what I said since wars started: Russia, or Putin’s Kremlin, is the aggressor. The Ukrainians are defending themselves. I admire them a great deal, and I hope they succeed. I also hope that Russia can give up its empire, as other powers have, painful though it may be. I hope that Russia can lift itself up — up out of its current and degraded state. I hope that Russia will be a country that Russians want to live in, rather than leave.
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-prada- Adi Mulia Pradana is a Helper. Former adviser (President Indonesia) Jokowi for mapping 2-times election. I used to get paid to catch all these blunders—now I do it for free. Trying to work out what's going on, what happens next. Now figure out and or prevent catastrophic of everything.
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