I'm not an expert in Ukraine/Russian relations but what comes across from the history books, and even recent historical events like the Chetnya war is that Russia unless it believes in the utter hopelessness of winning it will not stop. The western powers have made a big mistake dragging their feet whereas their tactical delays have become part of Russia's long term strategy. The strains on the social systems of European countries like Austria would have been less severe had the west followed thru in a more timely way in its commitments. What was once considered institutional inertia is now being revealed as rot as various organizations have failed to lived up to their perceived mandate. UN troops should have been sent to Gaza, the leadership at Amnesty International is little better than an echo chamber for a 1st world view of that borders on patriarchal. The Red Cross...at the ground may still be doing good, but its leadership for a generation is too an echo of the management philosophy of corporations where the law of propinquity has become both the means and the end. Not all are bad at self deceiving themselves, but enough of them have been caught appropriating donations for non humanitarian purposes (like updating computer systems, leasing high dollar luxury condo's (United Way) to muddy the waters and feed the cause du jour driven 4th estate.
As for e-voting. Russia has long had a reputation for being a nation of 1st rate hackers. It is doubtful that any computer system is hacker proof. And, when a government or state is involved, it will utilize many vectors of approach. Ukraine has been hacked a number of times by Russia, it once brought down the power grid. And, Ukraine itself has hacked into Russia's telecommunication network and aired its own propaganda messages. Stuxnet was more than a virus, it was a strategy and Russia has always been very good at maximizing technology via theory vs throwing money at a problem.
I appreciate these reports, but as I read today's report I began to wonder if there was some sort of ulterior motive. I've noticed on social media lately a trend where a poster comes across as saying there are for Ukraine but then slowly transition into the view that supports Russia's aims.
Normally, I would keep silent, but it looks more and more like the future is going to be dominated by the likes of Musk/Orban/Trump etc and I could accept that but were it not for the fact that the Ukraine war has shown future dictators the need for them to have their own nuclear arsenal. How long before some glory seeking ass-hole pushes the button.
I'm not an expert in Ukraine/Russian relations but what comes across from the history books, and even recent historical events like the Chetnya war is that Russia unless it believes in the utter hopelessness of winning it will not stop. The western powers have made a big mistake dragging their feet whereas their tactical delays have become part of Russia's long term strategy. The strains on the social systems of European countries like Austria would have been less severe had the west followed thru in a more timely way in its commitments. What was once considered institutional inertia is now being revealed as rot as various organizations have failed to lived up to their perceived mandate. UN troops should have been sent to Gaza, the leadership at Amnesty International is little better than an echo chamber for a 1st world view of that borders on patriarchal. The Red Cross...at the ground may still be doing good, but its leadership for a generation is too an echo of the management philosophy of corporations where the law of propinquity has become both the means and the end. Not all are bad at self deceiving themselves, but enough of them have been caught appropriating donations for non humanitarian purposes (like updating computer systems, leasing high dollar luxury condo's (United Way) to muddy the waters and feed the cause du jour driven 4th estate.
As for e-voting. Russia has long had a reputation for being a nation of 1st rate hackers. It is doubtful that any computer system is hacker proof. And, when a government or state is involved, it will utilize many vectors of approach. Ukraine has been hacked a number of times by Russia, it once brought down the power grid. And, Ukraine itself has hacked into Russia's telecommunication network and aired its own propaganda messages. Stuxnet was more than a virus, it was a strategy and Russia has always been very good at maximizing technology via theory vs throwing money at a problem.
I appreciate these reports, but as I read today's report I began to wonder if there was some sort of ulterior motive. I've noticed on social media lately a trend where a poster comes across as saying there are for Ukraine but then slowly transition into the view that supports Russia's aims.
Normally, I would keep silent, but it looks more and more like the future is going to be dominated by the likes of Musk/Orban/Trump etc and I could accept that but were it not for the fact that the Ukraine war has shown future dictators the need for them to have their own nuclear arsenal. How long before some glory seeking ass-hole pushes the button.