Some of you may have received Larry's latest message.
Opinion | Let's Not Allow the Great Powers to Destroy the World | Lawrence
Wittner
(commondreams.org)<https://www.commondreams.org/views/2022/01/29/lets-not-allow-great-powers-destroy-world>
While I agree with his general premise about the risk of nuclear war, there are
a few incorrect assumptions built into his message.
The reason the United Nations does not have the power it ought to is that the
other Great Powers gave the Soviet Union and other members of the Security
Council veto power by creating the unanimity rule.
NATO was created in response to Soviet expansionism, specifically to prevent
any further takeovers of territory in Europe. If Putin feels threatened by the
possibility of Ukraine coming under NATO's umbrella, he should. He has already
taken over part of Ukraine, specifically the Crimean region. [Does anyone hear
recall Neville Chamberlain's "Peace in our time" speech after he surrendered
Sudetenland to Hitler? and how effective that surrender was?] If NATO and the
US do not defend Ukraine, they are setting the stage for more territorial
grabs. NATO is a defensive pact, already weakened by the previous
administration. NATO's failure to defend Ukraine is likely to destroy it.
China's bid to control the South China Sea is premised on its refusal to accept
Taiwan's autonomy. If Taiwan, a self-governing democratic nation, is part of
China, then China's claims to the seas between the two nations are legitimate,
as are its military overflights and other provocations. When the Nationalists
took over Taiwan, they declared its independence. If the United States and its
allies do not defend Taiwan, it will hasten our own isolation.
Unlike the case of Viet Nam, the people of Taiwan [and South Korea] have
demonstrated a desire to live free of the control of its neighbors.
There should be no question of what will happen to Taiwan if we do not stand
with it. China's word is not to be relied upon. Look at what is happening to
Hong Kong.
Both China and Russia are bullies, attempting to control their neighbors and
the world. You do not stop a bully by giving it what it wants in hopes that
they will not demand more. That simply reinforces bad behavior. Yes, there
are risks to standing up to bullies; there is a greater risk in not stopping
them.
Eric
