Before I begin, I would like to say that I am not pro-Russian and I do not agree with or support Russia's move to invade Ukraine.
I believe that a lot of people have the same general view that I have.
When many innocent lives are lost, it is very easy to criticise Russia for what happened.
But how many people have actually stopped to think, understand the differing point of views, research, read and find out more about the whole series of historical events that led to the war before openly criticising about Russia?
If no, is it really fair to openly criticise Russia?
For many people, the understanding and sentiments regarding the latest developments came mostly from the news/media.
America has been using the media to justify their acts of aggression/invasion in other countries too via media; such as Vietnam war, Gulf War, Afghanistan etc.
America pledged not to use chemical warfare back in 1969, but America continued using chemical warfare in the Vietnam War until 1971.
So why are so many people condemning Russia but not America?
That is because the media is largely controlled by the US and the West.
Views on the wars or events leading up to the war could be severly biaised.
So, how many people really knew what really happened?
The seeds of this war has been sown many years ago, maybe even shortly after WWII.
Putin actually made his stand on Ukraine even as early as 2008 too.
So was it expected that this war will or could happen?
To fully understand the whole situation, one should always try to find out the point of view from both sides of the story.
If one don't recognise what the Russians might be thinking or incapable of putting oneself in the shoes of the Russians, one will never fully comprehend why the Russians did what they did.
There are many burning questions such as:-
- Is Vladimir Putin the main cause of the war?
- What caused the war?
- Why is Russia invading Ukraine?
- What is Russia's real intent?
- What is the aim of US and NATO that led to this crisis?
- Why is US and NATO not sending troops to Ukraine?
- Do the Americans really care about Ukraine?
- Are all those economic and trade sanctions, and cutting off of political ties going to be effective against the Russians?
- What are the implications to Ukriane?
A lot of those questions are being addressed in the short 1 hour plus YouTube video below, during a very informatic lecture/seminar given in the University of Chicago.
It offers a very unbiaised view of the whole situation and giving a lot of insights and historical events leading up to the war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMiSQAGOS4
So what will be the final outcome of the war?
Understanding the whole situation may help us guess how this may eventually turn out, but no one can be certain.
I guess only time will tell.
If interested about this subject, there are other reads or pointers to ponder over, which may help to futher understand the history, why and how this war broke out or how it might develop:-
- Cold War, dissolution of the Soviet Union, further expansion of NATO into former Soviet Union states
- April 2008 Bucharest Summit, Russia's response, events that followed
- Key events leading up to the Ukraine Coup that led to the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian War
- Parallel comparison of US invoking the use of Monroe Doctrine in Cuba (1962), against Russia's recent decision to invade Ukraine
For those that had been following the global politics, they may be the lucky ones to pull out out of the market quick.
Personally, I think there would be a temporary shift of funds into other markets due to the uncertainty of the war outcome. Maybe China, Hong Kong or even Singapore.
For me, I'm bullish for Singapore's market in the short term outlook as well as defence related stocks due to the ongoing conflicts.
Go for the good companies, buy on the dip and hold it out. The market will recover again when this ends.
Comments