Reflections on Crimea

In his article Ukraine: Through the Haze of Propaganda, historian Timothy Snyder told a moving story about the protests in Ukraine. This was a story that was told through different yet very personal perspectives. One of them about how investigative journalist Mustafa Nayem used social media to gather students in Kiev. It was a story of people that just wanted freedom from a corrupt government. And don't people deserve the right to be free from a corrupt government?

Not only was it immoral as tens of millions were stolen, Yanukovych used some of the money to build himself what Snyder referred to as some of the ugliest in architectural history.
Russian State-sponsored media news channel RT told the story from a different perspective. It showed a violent struggle between gangs of neo-Nazis and the Ukranian State's police force. It showed people who wanted to protect their lives and properties. And don't people deserve the right to protect their lives and properties? Also, if we agree that the government is only governing at the consent of the governed, then shouldn't we believe in the right to secede through a democratic referendum?


RT Documentary on Crimea

VICE News' Simon Ostrovsky tells the story from yet another perspective, from people in Crimea who have gathered together to protest against secession. The journalist points out the irony that if Crimea is transferred to the State of Russia, these kinds of protests will not be permitted. It is a story of the minority struggling against the tyranny of the majority and the intimidating Russian State soldiers on the ground. 

 
VICE News Showing Pro-Ukraine Citizens in Crimea

Obama and his allies agree that the democratic referendum was illegitimate. He then imposed economic sanctions on Russia. Frederic Bastiat once said that if goods don't cross borders, armies will. It is the greatest tension between the US and Russia since the Cold War. 


As I read more about it and watch more reports and documentaries, the more I am confused as to what's really going on. And all perspectives go back to ethics and principles of justice -- when is the use of force ever justified?


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3. My Two Cents on the Spratly Islands Conflict

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