Last Refuge default
THE WESTERN-NATO pact driving the Ukraine war with Russia has long been seen as primarily an American initiative. But cracks are appearing in this western front, with signs of weariness in not only the US but also some European countries. Thus, Tánaiste Micheál Martin was as militant, if not more so, than any EU minister this week, with forecasts of the war lasting up to five years and strident statements of Ireland being in it for the long haul.
With this scenario staring everyone in the face, one is grateful for the thoughts of the Economist – the leading voice of the liberal, interventionist establishment in the West – as it ponders the potential, partial retreat of the US. The magazine recently told readers: “A shift in mindset is needed in Europe. It has committed as much weaponry as America and far more financial aid. Yet it needs to step up further… Europe will eventually need to carry more of the burden. That means beefing up its defence industry.”
If the Peace & Neutrality Alliance or other peaceniks forecast extra military, financial and political commitment from Ireland and the EU to a war lasting another five years, they would be accused of hysterical rhetoric. Better, then, to listen to the western warriors themselves.
The Economist concluded its vision for the future by saying: “Too many conversations about Ukraine are predicated on an ‘end to the war’. That needs to change. Pray for a speedy victory, but plan for a long struggle.”
So that’s what Martin meant when, after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv this week, he predicted the war would last up to five years and that Ireland would provide more military training for Ukraine, including, one presumes, that “non-lethal” rifle training (unique in the annals of modern warfare).
