Seldom have so few been so successful in messing around with the world as we know it. Netizens, citizens, and those that are conveniently forgotten watch in chagrin.
The building blocks carefully, agonizingly put in place to form a semblance of humanity are being taken apart. It's not about waiting with baited breath. The realization is exposed that major change needs to happen, be it with the United Nations or in the more generic area of governance.
Whether that has to wait before Europe buckles or till the millions of starving die, depends on those worthy souls that call themselves politicians. Bandages and splints aren't going to solve the issues.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will know as much though he dare not say it. It's not for him to call out the rogue amongst the Security Council members that has trampled on some of the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
Broadly speaking, the line was crossed years ago by another rogue employing the methodology of crass lies. On the other hand, behind the smoky shadows of what the Western media is trying to project over the war in Europe lies another truth. A truth not circulated because of the baffling Russian inability or intent to shore up its communication to the rest of the world.
That dark zone, behind what used to be known as the Iron Curtain may have had a purpose, not to provide any links to the strategy that sought to create a super block calling the shots.
Joining Russia is China. The goal is simple: Prevent the United States and its motley rag-tag allies from covertly taking further control of countries. Don't we know of the impunity with which territorial lines are ignored?
Vladimir Putin was particularly blunt in one of his statements. Unlike the United States, Russia doesn't have troops' presence outside its borders (barring Ukraine).
Xi Jinping's long-term vision is to further reduce his country's dependence on the West, especially in technology. That Xi now has focused on strengthening China's military speaks volumes. It's just a matter of “when” rather than “if” she annexes Taiwan, not necessarily by force but more along the Hong Kong model. Russia's Ukraine venture will have given Xi room for comfort.
Putin was shrewd enough to consult Xi prior to sending his troops out into Ukrainian pastures. Russia could have chosen similar means, such as China, than causing a war. That it didn't, had as much to do with unleashing economic mayhem as it did with creating schisms in Western alliances.
While Putin has been brilliant in keeping everyone guessing, baiting the world to be reactive rather than pro-active, it remains to be seen at what stage he will state that Ukrainian forces in the newly annexed territories are fighting on Russian soil. Economically he has played his cards astutely.
There's division and chaos as countries scramble to address issues from energy to food grains. Militarily, Putin has forced the West and the United States to bring to the table some of the latest weapons' systems. The precision attacks on Ukraine's energy installations remind us that the entire expedition could have been brought to a quicker end. Except, as we now know, that wasn't the objective.
Alongside economic woes, energy, and food shortages, Russia has created circumstances that are hitting hard at the centre of the Western world's pride, possession -- governance and its economic models. In so doing, she has hurtled forward support for the Chinese cause.
Emmanuel Macron has had his wings clipped by the French electorate fed up by continued budget pressures. Add to that being stung from being short-charged by the US led AUKUS grouping, by now everyone's forgotten what Macron's re-election pitches were.
The United Kingdom's vaunted democracy has been torn to shreds so much so that the latest troll is of 10 Downing Street becoming the latest Airbnb. How else does one explain Rishi Sunak advising King Charles III not to go to Sharm El Sheikh and doubling back himself, only to have egg on his face by saying nothing of climate damage reparations.
The departure of his short-term predecessor over a complete hash of a mini growth budget taken apart by a new chancellor has led to some awkward questions emerging.
The world over, fewer and fewer politicians are emerging that have been blooded in the realities of life. Lip service doesn't work any longer, nor do lofty speeches. Playing to the crowds is seen through by both voters and businesses.
In their first term in office, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party sent its new MPs off to do a mini-MBA so as to make meaningful inputs to legislation, especially that impacted the economy. The US Republican and Democratic parties have branches in various countries ostensibly focusing on educating politicians in similar nuances.
What these institutions can't do is sift through the rabble to identify the promising political talent willing to learn beyond mere grandstanding. They have been exposed at home. Now they're being caught out abroad.
Traditional thinking allowed for two broad approaches, democracy and communism, to overcome hurdles. Tradition is the way it used to be and doesn't solve new age issues. Right-centre-left doesn't make a difference anymore no matter who is elected.
Italy has a nationalist Premier as do even Nordic states. Even the IMF doesn't want cloistered self-sufficiency modules to be introduced, though that's precisely the path developing countries are being forced to seriously consider. Change was in the air ever since the famous G-7 began to delegate to the G-20. It now seems that too is inadequate.
A new debate has arisen. Economics can no longer be based on Western thought models. The combined knowledge and experience of first, second, and third world countries must now be brought to the table to thrash out future plans.
It beggars thought of the cruel tragedy unravelling, when an extravaganza of sport, a grim war, almost certain famine in Africa and parts of Asia, and a merry-go-round of climate talks are unfolding new chapters with every passing day. The message is sadly clear.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
