On Wordle #255, and the world learning from WWII mistakes...

As I'm playing Wordle game #255...

Wordle 255 5/6

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the world is grappling with the horrendous military aggression of Putin.  He's been testing the water to see how the world would react when he pushes the envelope, most notably, the annexation of Georgia in 2008, and then the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The world effectively stood by and did nothing. Afterall it's easier to look the other way and does nothing when the terrible event was happening thousands of miles away. Without any ramification, Putin now goes for a much bigger prize, attacking Ukraine which is far more valuable strategically.

I'm thus glad to see that the world is piling on harsh sanctions against Russia, meant to cripple its economy and its ability to fund the war effort on Ukraine. Not only will Russian banks be kicked off from SWIFT, but oil companies are pulling out of Russia, Russian planes are disallowed from the air space from EU and other countries, even FIFA (traditionally weak in its response, much like IOC) is kicking Russia off of the World Cup roster. Even Germany has finally come around to halt Nord Stream 2 (which would have increased Germany's reliance on Russia), and pledges to provide more military support to Ukraine government. (Germany's initial response of donating 5000 helmets has become a butt-joke.) Russia's aggression has even pushed those more neutral countries like Sweden and Finland to consider joining EU formally, and Switzerland has made the surprising stance to drop its neutrality to freeze Russian assets. US has also frozen Russia's currency reserve to prevent Russia's central bank from moving the assets to shore up the value of Rubles which is falling fast.

I have to admit, Zelenskyy (the Ukrainian president) has shown much courage, smarts and perseverance through its resistance against Russia's onslaught, and in insisting to stay in Kyiv to fight with his own people. Through it all, he's earned the support and respect of the world over. Who would have thought that a TV personality, a comedian no less, turns out to be a profile in courage. He'll go down in history as someone to remember.

We knew from history that appeasement policy would not work in preventing aggression from authoritarian regimes. (Case in point: Chamberlain and Hitler.)  At long last, the world has closed ranks in its united stance against Russia.  Most notably missing in the condemnation, is China and Latin American countries. No doubt Xi from China is watching very closely to see how effectively (or not) the world's resistance might be in beating back aggression, and what price one might have to pay in being the aggressor. Some day, Xi will do the same against Taiwan.  I'm counting on it that when that time comes, the world will stand tall again.