UK and France agree to send troops to Ukraine in event of peace deal
We intervene once there is a rock solid guarantee our troops will be comfy otherwise we provide goodwill gestures of arms and intelligence (now that’s what I’d call intelligence). This will certainly be a deterrent for “powerful” bad actors around the world – even in our backyard – to “be careful cause you can bet we’ll intervene in novel ways when its safe to do so….“
On a more serious note; Europe – in my opinion – is becoming an irrelevant power (even too quick for me to imagine), particularly with the latest saga of the trump attack on Venezuela and the disgusting silence/excuses coming out of many European capitals. It’s not just about military interventions and the double standards (did I say “double” let me suggest “infinite standards” to be more accurate) in applying them; not based on values or even national interest but rather about pure “misguided/miscalculated convenience”. Here’s a quote that is attributed to John F. Kennedy but whether he said it or not it is quite relevant and have been for decades though – with where we are today – not many noticed it; “Domestic policy can only defeat us; foreign policy can kill us.”. In other words no form of development is sustainable unless you’ve got experts that understand and are able to articulate a solid long term strategy/approach in dealing with matters of foreign policy and national security (completely/utterly irrespective of ideology/stereotype and/or foreign influence that may have infiltrated the political system). In other words a repeatable / consistent approach because ignorance in any way-shape or form in this area can be disastrous whether consequences are immediate or not or even where the mess is well packaged and passed onto new generations to pickup the pieces.
As for the latest issue on the Venezuela attack, to me it demonstrates without a shadow of doubt that the EU will never be able to sell itself as political union because a) the inconsistency when it comes to core values and views/interests among members related to world order/foreign policy and b) the inability to act in unison as a deterring force when there is lack of unity/vision in core issues related to regional security. In other words the union becomes for the most part the Coalition of the Willing – or a Union of the Quite Optimistic – and that’s not a mode that projects confidence and/or influence at this critical juncture of transition in global order. Even in economic and matters of international trade there are differing interests/views that cannot be reconciled. What is needed is a form of a loose cross-regional coalition based on values as well as economic, political and security interests; and I begin with values for a reason – they are key in helping define/adapt the trajectory of geopolitics and the new world order that being developed.
I guess the takeaway is that complex issues/structures need to be simplified in an adaptable/effective & efficient manner rather than forcing onto them additional layers that don’t fit and make the situation even worse/more rigid and the whole thing becomes a fantasy of unrealistic expectations and a waste of time and resources. The EU for me as someone who was completely against BREXIT – has become a no-go area in terms of structural alliance but as a potential for a loose military/security coalition of the willing and a trade partner “period”. I believe that’s the way to go in building alliances but the only difference that I’m suggesting is that they need to be cross-regional, meaningful and adaptable (to be clear not “adaptable” strategically & structurally not on core values like the EU thanks very much!).
Just a thought…
Democracy’s Major Upgrade – Moving to Democracy 2.0 To Eliminate Political Hijacking