Introduction

Notwithstanding the advent of nuclear deterrence, conventional war has remained the norm throughout much of the world, and it has been waged by nuclear powers on weaker non-nuclear powers. The tactics used have been, as they always are, bloody and brutal. In very many cases a weaker ally of one nuclear power is subject to coercion by the forces of another opposed nuclear power

The West  Note; the West attaches a degree of exceptionalism to its brand of Liberal Capitalist Democracy, it perpetuates this with powerful stories about the rise of western civilisation – there is shock that this can be happening in Europe. The West is finding out what many in the rest of the world knows first-hand – war is an abomination. According to many non-Western countries this is just another war. The EU and Great Britain have been willing trading partners with Russia and/or laundered its oligarch’s money so these observers say this shock is at best hypocrisy and at worst, it displays the same racial bias that was toxic in colonialism; we are shocked when the brutality impacts people like us while we tolerate it being done to others  Note; Hypocrisy? .

Aside from large amounts of outrage and the dismissal of any dissent as appeasers  Note; Appeasers  the Wests response boils down to the supply of defensive arms, and the imposition of economic sanctions. This is accompanied by articles stating that the tectonic plates of international relations have shifted, presaging a “new cold war” and rearmament.

I will argue that this is not just another war, that there is reason to see it as different. But I also find the west’s response inadequate and dangerous; there better ways to proceed, and it is sad indeed that progressive parties seem to fall in line with the prevailing line when a more muscular and focused response is needed. What needs to be done requires nothing more than an understanding of basic ethical values and some pragmatism; there is no need to invoke so called western values which 140 countries have declined to support.

The case is made by addressing three broad questions.

• What is going on and how might it play out?
• What principles should guide our thinking?
• Does The Wests response stack up and what should it be doing?