That is, of course, wishful thinking. The "Global South" -- a term that is more rhetoric than geography -- has hardly been particularly supportive of Ukraine. And the United States, despite the damage Trumpers have done, is not a declining power (Europe, as a whole, is far closer to being one). 1/ - ThreadSky

davidrlurie.bsky.social • 10 days ago

That is, of course, wishful thinking. The "Global South" -- a term that is more rhetoric than geography -- has hardly been particularly supportive of Ukraine. And the United States, despite the damage Trumpers have done, is not a declining power (Europe, as a whole, is far closer to being one). 1/

Reposted from Olga Onuch

We are seeing European unity take firm hold and the building of a major international coalition is joining it from across the global
south and north.

This grand coalition for peace and justice may just be stronger than two declining powers.

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davidrlurie.bsky.social•10 days ago

As Zelensky has said, the U.S. is, and will remain, essential to Ukraine's and Europe's survival for the foreseeable future (and the obverse is also true), though we can and should hope that 2/

davidrlurie.bsky.social•10 days ago

The pronouncements of Macron, et al, will prove to be more than words, and that European nations will begin, in earnest, to prepare to support Ukraine with arms and a force equipped and willing to keep the peace if there is a cease fire. 3/

davidrlurie.bsky.social•10 days ago

As for developing nations, they actually do have a stake in Ukraine's survival, including because it is a crucial source of food for them, and because the cloud of a colonial kleptocracy overtaking Ukraine will soon spread elsewhere.....4/

oonuch.bsky.social•10 days ago

Wishful thinking is not my style.

Turkey to Argentina to Japan to Mexico to Canada with countries like Morocco & Tunisia on the fence but likely to join. The coalition that is building is larger than most think. And if it were corrugated and led it could prove surprising powerful.

oonuch.bsky.social•10 days ago

Russia is most certainly a declining power - that doesn’t mean it can’t do damage.

Its decision to engage in a costly war is born out its growing weakness and inability to be the hegemon it once was in region that surrounds it.

oonuch.bsky.social•10 days ago

This doesn’t mean that these two countries don’t still have immense power or that they are not (specifically) militarily powerful (and potentially dangerous).

oonuch.bsky.social•10 days ago

But power to threaten or power over is not the same as true great power capacity to lead without force or without much force. And any threat of force doesn’t mean to be said

Both states had that capacity at different points in history. Just as both states resorted to force more than once.

davidrlurie.bsky.social•10 days ago

I don't really understand where you are going with this, and your suggestion that Russia and the U.S. are somehow equivalent economic and military powers is a proposition that only people like Putin and Trump believe.

oonuch.bsky.social•10 days ago

My points are clear.
1. Both in decline and dangerous.
2. I am not known to be optimistic or wishful. Coalition is larger than most understand.
3. Did I say they are equivalent? No. Did I suggest it? No.

I think you may be reading (Or reading into things) incorrectly. But I can’t help that.

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