Not Never Again: Here We Go, Again

I tried hard not to write about the war in Ukraine. Why? Because I am first and foremost a Humanist vehemently opposed to war. Second, I happen to know history which – as we all know! – tends to repeat itself.

For the record, my heart is with the Ukrainian people and I have nothing but the utmost respect for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

I understand the plight of Ukraine. I can’t comprehend the reaction of the world. After the WW2 and Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews, the world declared “Never, Again”. As we speak, we’re witnessing “here we go, again” and no country is taking action to stop the carnage in Ukraine. Most justify their inaction by the fear of inciting WW3.

Meanwhile, we’re imposing sanctions, providing aid, denying Ukraine’s requests for a no-fly zone, watching the atrocities unfold and planning to “investigate”. Neither of these actions can stop the war, neither can reverse deaths and losses, neither upholds the “Never, Again” promise.

Ukraine today is like Poland in 1939, a regional conflict in a faraway land. Eventually, the “insignificant”, “regional” war in Poland ushered in WW2. But not before the slaughter in – and destruction of – Poland, the Jewish Holocaust and the Nazi takeover of most of Europe. The world took its time to “observe” and “investigate” for OVER FOUR YEARS before intervening.

Are we going to allow YEARS of genocide and destruction – of as of now, unpredictable extent – before realizing / admitting that the direct threat to Ukraine today is a threat to us all, tomorrow? What’s to stop Putin’s Russia from grabbing other countries? From using biological, chemical or nuclear weapons? What EXACTLY are we waiting for?…………….

America encouraged and supported democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. We gambled American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the end, neither country embraced democracy. Ukraine is a democratic country forced to defend itself from a neighboring, ruthless dictator. Ukraine’s commitment to democracy is unquestionable. Neither is the threat an emboldened Russia poses to the world. What makes Ukraine “inferior” to Iraq and Afghanistan? (or Vietnam, or Korea?)

Last but not least, scientists warn us that we’ve reached a critical point in climate change; that every action we take today which doesn’t consider global warming, will cause massive rise in temperatures on Earth.

YOU are nothing short of a criminal when you drive a car, take a trip by an airplane, eat beef, or use air conditioning. Apparently however Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukraine, the long trails of gas-powered tanks and armored vehicles, use of explosives, and a massive destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure (that will eventually require rebuilding) don’t contribute to global warming. Cool!

Let’s continue watching, “investigating” and witnessing murder, rape, torture, and destruction in Ukraine from the sidelines. Let’s repeat mistakes from the past. Let’s look at our reflection in the mirror and go about business as usual. The last time we pretended that atrocities faraway don’t affect us, was during WW2. We came out of it relatively easy. This time, in the era of widespread nuclear weapons and climate change underway already we may not be so lucky.

Stop the war in Ukraine, NOW!

Save Ukraine. Save the Earth.

P.S. Do not mistake my complaints about “watching” and “witnessing” the tragedies in Ukraine as a criticism of journalists! I have a healthy respect for them. Their presence in Ukraine; the coverage of the plight of Ukrainian refugees’ demand not only dedication but a lot of courage. If it weren’t for the fearless reporters, the truth of Ukraine would be largely unknown.

The Motherland Monument in Kiev: photo by Artem Zhukov on Unsplash