Military analyst Sean Bell has raised concerns about the West’s approach to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stating that while the West has provided military and financial support to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, there has also been a reluctance to engage in the conflict out of fear of escalation. Bell believes that this hesitancy may be emboldening Russian President Vladimir Putin, who knows that his ambitions in Ukraine could not be achieved if the West were to get directly involved.
Bell argues that history shows that bullies only respect strength, and that showing weakness through appeasement could lead to further aggression from not only Putin, but also from other aligned nations such as Iran, North Korea, and China. He warns that while nobody wants to see the conflict escalate, appeasement is not the best long-term strategy to avoid a worsening of the situation.
The delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding direct conflict with Russia has presented a complex diplomatic challenge for the West. While the goal is to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a larger East vs West battle, there is a recognition that standing firm against aggression may ultimately be the most effective way to protect global security and deter further aggression. Bell’s analysis serves as a reminder that in geopolitics, sometimes showing strength is the best way to achieve peace.
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