I have to marvel at the sneakiness of the meddling in western democracy by Russia. It’s all based on support from a host of state and non-state partners, who are bound by adversarial positions against the West. I then wondered why I should care? It’s a fair question that is complicated to answer.
Looking back to 2013, and the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. It looked like a social media inspired movement of Egyptians, who had enough of empty promises. Social issues transformed into social levers that drove fear into anger en masse. The digitally manipulated result was a new government with a friendly disposition to the United Arab Emirates.
From then, an exponential rise in cybercrime, with Russia, North Korea and China cited as regular culprits of hosting and using cybercrime to their own benefit. From ransomware to attacks on critical infrastructure in the West, the big business of cybercrime continues at pace.
2014’s illegal invasion of Russia into Ukraine’s Crimea region was next up on the watch list, where Ukraine lost a key province to Russia. As nobody in the West batted an eyelid, I still wondered why I should care?
US Politics Under Siege From Within
We then saw cracks appear in the politics of the troubled United States. 2016’s election of Donald Trump followed a divisive split in the Democratic National Congress, where Bernie Saunders lost out to Hiliary Clinton. Divided voting allegiances allowed a scoundrel into the Presidential Office of the United States.
With widespread social issues and disinformation peppering American society from legitimate and deceptive sources, my attention was still elsewhere. I began my research for “From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows” in 2018. Honestly, this research drew more of my attention and worry than what I was seeing on mass media, or even social media.
From Terror to Valor: Echoes and Shadows, available on pre-order for September 11th release.
So, still wondering why I should care, time moved forward to 2022, and the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The Ukrainian people rallied together against the criminal actions of the Russian armed forces. The very capable Volodymyr Zelensky also led them, declaring that they will not be led blindly into the night.
Ukrainian Resistance has become our new Marquis
I quickly realized from my home in Ireland how basic values regarding freewill and resistance to tyranny were so fervently held by the average Ukrainian. Despite all the setbacks for Ukraine, which were often orchestrated by Russia and their supporters, they have stayed in the fight.
Russia is also in many fights under their full spectrum of warfare. Subversion under the threshold of war has become a powerful weapon. Russian meddling in US politics supporting Donald Trump, who is pro-Russian, and targeting pro-Ukraine President Biden, has progressed to alarming levels of effectiveness.
In the last few days, the chorus of Democratic detractors who believe President Biden is unfit to hold office has become loud with mass media support. They cite old age and ill-health, yet don’t see the pattern of orchestration that excuses an alleged rapist who is nearly as old as President Biden.
Apparently, President Biden’s lifelong problems with a stutter and public gaffes have taken on a disproportionate and immediate level of significance. The dramatic movements in recent US politics have apparently seen Ukraine react by seeking a second peace summit with Russia in attendance.
Ukraine Peace Summit Present New Opportunities for Russia
President Zelensky is looking for this summit before the US Presidential elections this coming November. While I can understand the panic of Ukraine seeing Donald Trump winning in the United States. However, President Biden is no fool and not out of the race.
Ukraine should note similar disinformation forces fuelled mass media and social media (in English) defeatism, placing Marie Le Pen as France’s new leader after the recent French elections. The French citizenry was not so easily swayed by Russian lies. Judging by the election results, the same citizenry poudly stands over their democratic republic.
I welcome the Ukrainian initiative to get ahead of the possibilities, and think meeting war criminals to talk peace is an excellent idea. However, I would advise the Ukrainian delegation to remember that NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg has already ruled out Ukranian land for Russia in any deal. They should too!
Russia As A Glass Powerhouse
Facts are that avarice binds Russia with her surrogate network, which has become very potent under all our noses. Ukraine has beaten Russian military might into the ground, and at this junction, should not give up an inch of her soil. Russian invincibility is based on a delusion. In short, the Putin regime and their partners believe that manipulation and avarice will empower victory, one well sold lie at time.
Like the murky world portrayed in my novel, the urgency to determine an adversary’s next steps will be paramount to making wise decisions. Peace has eroded but remains intact. How and what we accept from now on will determine how much of it will remain for our children.
About the Author
John is a versatile author known for his gripping fiction narratives in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. With a background as a journalist since 2016, and expertise in cloud technologies as an engineer; John brings a unique blend of storytelling prowess and technical acumen to his work.
