The world is horrified and mesmerized by this war. News channels are covering it non-stop. Social media is flooded with videos, opinions and of course, countless memes. There seems to be a general condemnation of Russia, particularly from the Western countries, for this unprovoked, excessive attack that threatens world security. There are sanctions against Russia, some of them quite severe. Yet, Ukraine fights this war alone, facing a far stronger, nuclear-armed enemy.
Calls to end the war, showing support for victims and condemning the enemy is all good, and is also the dominant narrative around the world. However, this attack has exposed some harsh realities and bitter truths about life, humanity, and the world.
If you are easily offended and triggered, read no further. If you don’t like to face reality, have idealistic beliefs, care more about how things “should be” rather than how “they are,” stop reading! This will upset you. You have been warned. Here goes. Five lessons from Russia – Ukraine, that can be applied not only to sovereign nations, but also to your own life.
- Raw strength, capabilities, and competence matters – Whatever might be your moral or ethical stance about Russia’s behavior, fact remains Russia could do this attack because it has strong defence capabilities of its own. Ukraine is getting pummeled because it doesn’t have the same strength. Yes, Ukraine has a lot of sympathy. However, it doesn’t have the strength. In life, or as a nation – seek strength, not sympathy. Seek capability, not compassion.
- Trust no-one – Ukraine had nuclear weapons. The West pushed for dismantling nuclear progams around the world and made terms like ‘disarmament’ cool and noble. Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons. They were promised support if they ever needed to defend themselves. Today, nobody is helping Ukraine. They asked India to give up nuclear weapons too. We were called warmongers, muscle-flexors, peace-disrupters and more. See what happened to Ukraine. Do you think the same would be happening if they had nuclear weapons? Ukraine trusted others and are now paying the price for it. In life, or as nation, do not trust anyone. And never place your security in another person or entity’s hands.
- The most heartless is the most powerful – The USA has the most powerful weapons and possibly the best defense forces in the world, unmatched in resources and technology. However, Russia is the one that has threatened the world with nuclear war and is feared the most at the moment. Russia doesn’t care if millions die. The USA does. To the USA, the nuclear option is unthinkable (as it is to most nations). Hence, the USA must listen to Russia. In a world where several nations have nuclear weapons that can end the world, the most heartless, unempathetic and brutal leader is the most powerful. This is also the reason a tiny, impoverished country like North Korea punches above its weight.
- The world has become soft and weak – Emotionalism and wokeness rules social media. It is filled with calls of justice, fairness, equality, compassion, and acceptance. Brands jump in on it, there’s money to be made. Politicians encourage it, there are votes to be won. The idea that if you outrage, shame, call out and express yourself enough, you can fix things. All this assumes the world and human beings want to be fair. That assumption is not true. The world wasn’t, isn’t and never will be fair. The strong will defeat the weak. Hence, aim to be strong, rather than playing victim and being weak. We can keep tweeting to make the world a fairer place, but calls for fairness are not don’t work against a powerful foe with raw strength. Flags of Ukraine in Instagram posts, offering words of support on Facebook and shaming Russia on Twitter won’t do anything. Lost in our phones, addicted to content and virtual interactions, we have become weak as a race. We no longer no how to fight, even though human history has always had conflicts. They used spears and swords earlier. Now we use Reels and Posts. Go figure.
- War is content and you are alone – However horrific things may be on the ground, fact remains wars have the perfect ingredients for drama – conflict, human suffering, uncertainty, developing plots and high stakes. It can and has become the ultimate reality show, where everyone from social media influencers to social justice warriors to virtue signallers all express their love for Ukraine. This is mostly done for likes, comments and engagement. Most of us have no stakes and little skin in the game, but are still glued in to this macabre content anyway. Same in life. When you face problems, for most of the world you are just gossip, a story to be talked about. Only a few people truly care for you, if at all. At the end of the day, you, just like Ukraine, are alone when it comes to dealing with your tough times.
Decades of relative peace has made us humans erroneously believe that the world is a peaceful and just place. It isn’t. Any individual in life, or any nation in this world, must stand on their own feet. Either rule or be ruled. Either be strong or serve the strong. Emotions and idealism don’t matter. Real capabilities, strength and competence does.
Let’s hope the war ends soon. At the same time, let’s remember the lessons it taught us and keep them forever.