War's Utility Function is Waning

When were the seeds of the Ukraine war sown?

How far back do we need to go where the consensus was for a peaceful future between Ukraine and Russia? In 1991 Ukraine because an independent State. Ukraine became the center of overlapping spheres of influence as the European Union grew. Since 1949, NATO's membership has increased from 12 to 30 countries through eight enlargement rounds. Finland, with its long border with Russia, will soon be NATO's newest member. It should be apparent to any honest observer that Russia has complex security concerns concerning NATO and Ukraine's desire to be closer to Europe. So to my mind, the seeds have been sown for decades due to ever-changing security concerns from the E.U., NATO, and Russia. A war between Russia and Ukraine may have been considered inevitable years before the Donbas conflict began in 2014.

Leaders must make peace while preparing for war. For decades leaders worldwide have neglected peacemaking in favor of special interests dedicated to war-making. John Mearsheimer's analysis may be the result in Ukraine—another 38th parallel standoff.

What boggles my mind is that so many people think our leaders are wise and have our interests in mind. They don't. They are playing The Great Game and are primarily interested in their careers.

We should understand that the circumstances we find ourselves in preclude the utility of war. Civilization is currently facing many challenges. We need wise leaders who prioritize maintaining a healthy balance of nature and protecting life on earth. Leaders without these commitments should be gotten rid of. Young people must come forward and reimagine the world. People in their teens and twenties will have to become The Wisest Generation.

We must focus our time, energy, resources, imagination, creativity, and power on solving common problems and building structures and systems that ensure peace.