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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   29056 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of December 18, 2023

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There’s a long discussion downthread on the possibility/desirability of a truce between Ukraine and Russia. Moral considerations aside, a large number of commentators thought that it would be foolish to sue for peace under pretty much any circumstances because Putin wouldn’t keep to it.

It seems to me that refocusing efforts towards fortifying at/near the current de facto borders would change the calculus by making it much more painful to break a peace. I’m thinking especially wide-ranging minefields. As I understand it, this has made it quite difficult for Ukrainians to advance, could the same be made to work in reverse? And if so, how practical would it be to build up such defences in the current climate with current levels of international assistance?

People frequently bring up “peace in our time” as if it was the only lesson learned from history when it comes to aggressive policy.

Alfred the Great fought the Danes roughly to a draw and paid them in part to leave. He then fortified Wessex so that when the Danes broke the peace Wessex was in a much better situation to repel the Danes.

That is, suing for peace can be the right play if it permits you to change the calculus of war. If you can delay war to a time when you are relatively better prepared, then do so. Perhaps it encourages more aggression (the lesson of Chamberlain) but if the time is used well it also increases the odds of success (the lesson of Alfred).

The UK was not ready for war in 1938 either. Those who bring up the example are simply bloodthirsty warmongers.

Those who bring up the example are simply bloodthirsty warmongers.

Too antagonistic, don't post like this please.

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