By Kapya Kaoma
“As Russia continues to bombard Ukraine, most of us are wondering why NATO is ignoring President Zelenskyy’s plea for a no-fly zone over his country. The pictures of pregnant women being bombed in children hospital, dead bodies being buried in mass graves, lifeless children on the street and bombed buildings across Ukraine invite human rage. Russia is committing war crimes. Worse still, it might cause the biggest nuclear disaster in human history if it continues with its attacks on nuclear plants. Is declaring a no fly zone not justified? The simple answer is yes! But the truth is NATO’s power is powerless when it comes to Russia; reason Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMDs).
Since human history, the concept of power has been adjudicated in various ways. Humanity has applied various valuables to construct what constitutes power—from social roles, custom, traditions, race, wealth, etc. Control of the citizenry has been one aspect of power—some people have to be rulers and others have to be ruled. The landmass one controls accredit power. Traditionally, the bigger the number of people under one’s command, the higher respect one was accorded; here Empires formed. This tradition continued into modern times, something that led to colonization of native lands across the globe. Post-colonial times shifted this to wealth and weapons; if you have the money and nuclear weapons, you have the power too. Thus since the second World War, possessing nuclear weapons has become one important symbol of power. The more WMDs one nation possesses, the more that nation is feared. But is it real power or simply an illustration of the powerlessness of powerfulness?
The concept of powerfulness is a social construct that we are made to believe exists. Yet the question of nuclear weapons illustrates one important thing; power of nuclear weapons depends on the one who threatens to use them first. This is the biggest illusion that holds the world captive. Since the end of the Second World War, nations with WMDs have waged wars on nations without and dared those who hold similar weapons to get involved or face the same fate; nuclear catastrophe. What Putin knows is that he can do whatever he wants with Ukraine and NATO won’t respond since he has threatened to respond with nuclear weapons.
Rather than debating Ukraine, the world should be asking what would happen if Putin uses WMDs, would the US then use Nukes on Russia? The answer is the same. No. This is because of the obvious reasons—such an act would bring an end to humanity. In short, the powerfulness of America and by extension NATO is simply a fallacy. To start with, it is a social construct meant for the world that never exists anymore. The Post-World War II context put reason, morality and human decency at the center of political discourse in both local and global politics. The recent rise of populist nationalist, anarchists, and white supremacist movements across the globe caught political scientists off-guard; something that seem to throw us to the pre-World War II era. Reason, shame and morality are no longer virtues in local and international politics. We are living in strange times; people are not ashamed to identify themselves with Nazis, White Supremacists, etc. It is what it is.
Second, holders of WMDs fear the cost of fighting each other; hence only non-holders of WMDs are threatened by nations with Nukes. Just as America is at the forefront of ensuring that certain nations do not have access to WMDs, Russia does not want Ukraine to join NATO to maintain its bullying power over this sovereign nation. This is at the heart of the Ukraine invasion.
My fear is, Putin is a man robbed of empathy, morality, shame, and reason. The people of Ukraine are not going anywhere, and providing them with more and more weapons will aid their resolve to fight for their lands. Putin knows that this is the war he has to win at all costs to remain in power. My question is, should Russia choose to use Nukes to win this war, will America, and NATO use the Nukes in return as a show of power knowing too well that humans near and afar will suffer the same fate—or powerlessly watch as the world burns from the effects of those nukes with over 1500 nukes at its hands?
May God help us.
Pray for Ukraine.
Lord Jesus, hold us dear in your heart, as we hold the people of Ukraine in our hearts. Give us the rage to feel their pain, and the strength of your mother, to watch their sufferings and deaths from a distance, knowing we can do nothing to stop the injustice brought about by the forces of evil, yet trusting in your power to conquer all evil. Amen.
He blames NATO for being unable to do anything in defence of Ukraine. The answer is that not every problem has a solution. Not even Kapya Kaoma’s prayer is an answer.
Useless article…………
It’s like telling us that if you don’t eat , you are likely to starve……..
I think we need to see a lot of things security stealthy technologies risk of technology and support to Ukraine long-term security implications The appollon connection to dprk conflict escalations between the us and Russia including the allies It’s risky and sanctions could descalate effectively without further also when Ukraine is equipped to stand the challenge in some measure and has shown some effectiveness with Russian same technologies they have but it’s considered risky to transfer technologies and security massively to Ukrainean it can turn out badly but the call for the 2 to find peace is what is sustainable long-term here because the war could prove distastrous More atleast we know now how it’s plays out we close
No boss, for NATO to enforce a no fly zone, it means they have to be shooting down Russian planes. That’s a third world war
Enforcing no fly zone means shooting down Russian planes. That’s a third world war.
Rubbish Article. You still have a lot to learn. A coin had two sides.
Ba Kaoma,
Please start by starting the preamble to this Ukraine Invasion. It appears you are not aware or well informed hence your haphazard article!
Russia has been more than patient in this approach and this has been their last resort!..
*stating
Russia has 4,000 nuclear bombs. USA has 4,500 nukes. All these are 100 times more powerful than the Fat boy. Russia has weakened the nuclear code so that it is easier to launch nuclear missiles. It is better to sacrifice one country than to have the whole world going up in flames. Ukraine will fall today, but not forever. History shows that there is no power that oppresses a people forever. Putin will die in his sleep tomorrow and Ukraine will live to liberate itself another day. What do you want Rev Kaoma? Anihilation of the earth?
Yes that is the point it means just that and it means the article is wrongly worded moreso the transfer of Technologies is also an issue and Russia will have more terror or precision against Ukraine You are right certain aspects are confidently and cannot be discussed in public except what should be correctly know by the public and security of our country including foreign policy realignments because mistakes could be costly keeping quiet is. Also wise I think our people are well trained to see and have duty to advise correctly
Europe could be a battles group as will be for some time You can simply see the spendings in military budgets and global realignments so it’s better that way this ends soon and the world still become a global village You saw Putin laying a wreath on the unknown soldier and ordered shortly after the invasions Ukraine to be reclaimed to Russia at all costs alifulwa you avoid escalations
I have been impressed by the position of the South African government that is now being asked to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country abstained because “the resolution did not foreground the call for meaningful engagement”, and accused the UN Security Council of being unable to discharge its responsibility to maintain peace and security. He added that South Africa’s response to the war was not an indication that it had no regard for human rights. Indeed, South Africa’s rich experience of a negotiated transition from white minority rule to majority rule places it on powerful moral high ground to seek for a negotiated settlement to the Russian-Ukrainian war. It is only a matter of time before the Zambian government learns that…
… you do not solve problems by taking sides with any of the warring factions. May South African show the way!
It’s a security blunder you are right not only for the conflict region but Europe in particular and the world it could easily escalate to ww3 that could further put costs on the people and regions okay too much napyamo
The author is asking the simple question which bloggers are missing: NATO and the US cannot intervene militarily in Ukraine because Russia has Nukes, so what does it mean when we say the US is the most Powerful Nation in the world? How true is this claim?
That is not the issue the case for NFZ is not the solutions as can be seen previously in the NFZ in Bosnia Libya and Iraq It made the war to escalate I am advised that they cannot implement it successfully Without the cost of war escalating but even then Russia is obviously firing from it’s air spaces There are more pints to consider who will operate is it the un with approval and veto from China and Russia how the NFZ will handle Russia n and other allied aircrafts or simply provaction The mode operations and security of technology It could escalate rather than end the war It might result in the severity of the war