A few days ago, a business friend of mine in Switzerland commented to me about a recently released (and very detailed) article making its rounds on how our own U.S. Government is alleged to have purposely and strategically taken out the Nord Stream pipelines (Which were constructed for Russia to provide natural gas to Germany). While there are varied reactions and theories on the accuracy of that report (Most of which, unfortunately are not in the U.S.’s favor), it was quite interesting on how my friend responded to the report itself.
“It was never disclosed so clearly here in Europe” he said of the article. Quite an interesting response. In fact, it reminded me of our own government’s ongoing approach in the Ukrainian saga and how our government has “…never disclosed so clearly…” (borrowing from my Swiss friend’s quote) the reality of the potential consequences for us here back home should the conflict escalate.
Aside from the provocation of the Nord Stream pipeline destruction (if it is true), or even if it is not true, our country seems to be rushing toward direct conflict with Russia at breakneck speed. Further, because the reality and consequences have not been “disclosed so clearly” to our citizenry here in the United States, we as a people are not nearly aware or prepared for the potential consequences that such a direct conflict could bring. Think about the reality of that for a moment. Our leaders seem to have adopted a nonchalant approach to potential direct conflict with another superpower nuclear nation, the result of which could lead to an irreparable alteration of American daily lives and I don’t mean in a good way.
For perspective, the average land-based nuclear missile is almost 40 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Though I realize battlefield nuclear warheads differ from land/silo-based warheads, one can see that potential modern day nuclear conflict is quite a different ballgame. Yet no one seems to raise an eyebrow when we hear that Russia may soon resort to nuclear weapon(s) in Ukraine if the U.S. continues to reinvigorate its support and escalate the tensions there. Our leaders seem to ignore the threats and the potential domino effects by doubling-down with talks of supporting the effort for “…as long as it takes.”
Recently, a responsible (rare) news and radio personality shared how in the early 1960s and early 1980s, when we were a “hair trigger” away (as one U.S. official would later state) from nuclear conflict with Russia/Soviet Union, our government established a broad and general awareness campaign regarding the potential for such an attack or conflict. The threat was real, and our citizens were made aware of the potential reality and consequences of a nuclear event. Now other countries, including the UK, Switzerland and other European nations are raising the level of awareness by advising their citizens of the potential of nuclear conflict and how such an event could impact their country. Many governments are even telling their citizens to make sure their fallout shelters are adequately stocked with supplies and water, while here in America…crickets. The silence is deafening. Even as Russia’s nuclear armed submarines (which, if positioned properly, can strike most any major coastal city, including the U.S., in as little as 15 minutes from launch) disappear for periods at length, no serious awareness campaign is being mounted by our government here at home. The reality of the possible threat to U.S. citizens that a possible direct conflict with Russia imposes, seems to be taken lightly, let alone how to seriously prepare for it. Oh, there are military strategists on leading network and cable channels that opine on where the target areas might be if Russia used a nuclear weapon, others even share what our response would be should that occur.
Are we seriously considering waiting for the action to occur (whether in Ukraine or here in the United States) and simply strategizing a response? Perhaps a focus on toning down the rhetoric and other possible deterrents might be more prudent instead of throwing more fuel on the fire? Where are the Reagans and Gorbachevs of our day, to issue a joint statement (like the two leaders did in Geneva years ago after their first summit on nuclear warfare) wisely proclaiming that “…a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”. We need real leaders to step forward before the provocations (on both sides) lead to something we’ll all regret. Once/if this modern-day nuclear genie is out of the bottle, it will likely never return, and we all will have to live with the consequences.
I understand Russia is deemed the ‘aggressor’ here, but just how much more prodding did we think the Bear would take? How much talk of NATO admission to Russia-bordered countries and talks of regime change did we think the Russian leader would take? When we get irate about Russia and its encroachment into Ukraine, we might want to look back at how our own government responded a generation ago when a military adversary was meddling near our border with outside military support a mere 90 miles from our Florida shore. We didn’t like it and, recognizing the threat near our border, we stepped in with military maneuvers (naval blockade, etc.) and came closer than any other time in history to a direct conflict with a nuclear adversary.
Some suggest that may be similarly why Russia stepped into Ukraine in the first place, due to adversaries/competitors meddling near their border with outside support. While I don’t necessarily concur with that assertion, I do think that we are nearing that point again and instead of our citizens being forewarned of the real potential dangers, our leaders seem to dismiss it as mere international saber-rattling.
While I empathize with the plight of both the Russian and the Ukrainian citizens, I’m not so sure that the American people fully signed up for the risks that we now face, and many are not aware that this could get very ugly for us very quickly if some adults in the room don’t wake up and bring clearmindedness to this approaching potentially deadly game of ‘nuclear chicken’ that our government seems to be playing in this Eastern European military theater.
Recently, I was reminded by an Australian born friend of mine of how Russia was our country’s lifeline in the early days of its founding when Britain insisted that all countries cease trading with our young revolutionaries in their quest for independence. Had Russia yielded to such demands, we would all likely be speaking with British accents today and answering to a monarchy some 4000+ miles away. While I might not necessarily mind donning a British-Southern drawl, thankfully Russia, yes Russia, took a more favorable (some would say strategic or neutral) approach and continued to trade with our young colonists and the country grew, gained its independence and eventually thrived into the freest nation on earth. In no small part thanks to Russia remaining as a steady trade partner in our quest for independence.
Perhaps we should take a ‘strategic/neutral’ approach in Ukraine instead of driving onward toward a direct nuclear conflict. Not only is our foot on the accelerator toward this conflict but if we look far enough down the road, we may find that...the bridge is out.
It’s time for awareness of the Ukraine continuance and escalation consequences to be “disclosed so clearly” here at home by our leaders…and also…
If anyone has ever thought about praying for America, now would be a good time to do it.
• Dr. Newton is a 1982 graduate of Pierce County High School with a doctorate in international business from the Overton Graduate School at Liberty University, a masters of business administration from Terry College of Business at University of Georgia (graduate of UGA’s inaugural Executive MBA program) and is considered by many as a trusted advisor and catalyst of international business globally, often consulting with global corporations, hedge funds, investors and governments on various international business and trade matters and perspectives.
