Friday, 28 March 2025
Deal or No Deal
I’ve been idly browsing the internet this morning, taking a gander at various online comments about Donald Trump’s approach to ending the Ukraine conflict.
The most striking characteristic is how hostility towards Trump so often outweighs any constructive alternative to his approach. His approach can be criticised, but most people don’t do that, they don’t put up any alternative other than hostile sentiments which seem to have more war as a consequence.
Even an outsider who has not followed this issue closely can see that as things stand now, the people who must be at the table are Trump, Putin and Zelensky. European leaders are not particularly important because of their obvious problems with political cohesion.
Equally obvious is that the nature and location of some kind of demilitarised zone is a key aspect of any deal. Seems clear enough, but most of the comments I’ve seen this morning are little more than useless anti-Trump rhetoric with no specific alternatives, nothing to put on the table and as far as I can see, no table.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
The trouble with realpolitik is that it confronts people with reality. Many people aren't much good at coping with that.
The visceral reaction is not really Trump Derangement Syndrome, descriptive as that phrase is. It is instead Gravy Train Slowing Down Syndrome. More of a mouthful but it explains the fears of so many that have previously done well under the the old regime(s).
Yes, it seems to be part of some virtue-signalling or inclusion game to signal one's superiority over Trump. In normal face-to-face interactions, people go in for rolling their eyes as if mildly exasperated or exhaling loudly through the nostrils as if laughing at him. In groups, there is sometimes a soft mooing noise, as if booing by very restrained and thoughtful people. It's the equivalent of wearing a MAGA baseball cap, with the reverse sentiment.
This:
European leaders are not particularly important because of their obvious problems with political cohesion.
Spot on. Were Europe a unified bloc which had spent significant amounts on defence, we (sorry - they!) would be taken seriously. As it is, it's like Laos, Guatemala, and Algeria trying to get a look in.
dearieme - I agree, many people aren't much good at coping with realpolitik and are clearly uncomfortable if hints of it enter social conversations.
DJ - yes, Gravy Train Slowing Down Syndrome or GTSDS and there must be a huge number of gravy trains in Europe, including a vast maze of little trains running on uneconomic branch lines.
Sam - and the strange thing about European leaders is that they act as if they are unaware of their damaging lack of unity, as if evading it is part of being a good European. Yet they want a look in.
Post a Comment