I really love reading what you write, I think you are one of most valuable and insightful modern tech writers.
However, you recommending the Mearsheimer video - especially as the only "source" - is an immense disappointment.
Mearsheimer is wrong on a lot of his claims, as discussed by thinkers who are more knowledgeable on this topic (McFaul, Snyder, Applebaum), and his views effectively support Russian imperialism and colonialism, and serve the aims of Russian propaganda.
His views are also immoral, though that is a different topic - effectively, this "pseudo-realism" removes agency from smaller countries such as Ukraine and considers them as "pawns" without any sovereign right to pick their political model or alliances, with only the "great powers" deciding for them. Accepting this means normalising imperialism and colonialism.
Not everything is "the West's" fault, Russia did not initially oppose countries voluntarily joining NATO and only did a 180° on that later, etc.
Hi Juris - thanks very much for this and for pointing out the issue of the source. At the time, based on the limited research I had, this source seemed convincing enough, and the credentials seemed fine of Mearsheimer. I admit that I did not look closer, and was unaware of the criticism until your post!
I have removed the reference and added the ones from Timothy Snyder and William Spaniel, as you're right that they seem to be a more objective analysis.
What about banning Russia from using open source software by amending OSI licenses to include special clauses? Applied on a large scale this could kill the software business in Russia altogether, and with it a considerable flow of money to the country.
"Is blocking Russian customers the best approach in this case? Sure, it’s tempting to follow the footsteps of sanctions that countries are doing. But will it have the effect that these companies hope: that is, helping to end the conflict sooner? (...)
I don’t have the answer to what is the right approach. Still, instead of “sanctioning” Russian customers, why not help refugees and contribute to humanitarian efforts?"
Small correction - “… don’t allow sponsoring people as highly skilled migrants once within the EU, so the current plan is to help people get to Bulgaria or Georgia, and apply for this visa from there.” - Bulgaria is within the EU
I really love reading what you write, I think you are one of most valuable and insightful modern tech writers.
However, you recommending the Mearsheimer video - especially as the only "source" - is an immense disappointment.
Mearsheimer is wrong on a lot of his claims, as discussed by thinkers who are more knowledgeable on this topic (McFaul, Snyder, Applebaum), and his views effectively support Russian imperialism and colonialism, and serve the aims of Russian propaganda.
His views are also immoral, though that is a different topic - effectively, this "pseudo-realism" removes agency from smaller countries such as Ukraine and considers them as "pawns" without any sovereign right to pick their political model or alliances, with only the "great powers" deciding for them. Accepting this means normalising imperialism and colonialism.
Not everything is "the West's" fault, Russia did not initially oppose countries voluntarily joining NATO and only did a 180° on that later, etc.
A few links for additional context:
* Filip Kostelka refuting Mearsheimer's views - https://euideas.eui.eu/2022/07/11/john-mearsheimers-lecture-on-ukraine-why-he-is-wrong-and-what-are-the-consequences/
* Financial Times article by Gideon Rachman about the Mearsheimer's video - https://www.ft.com/content/2d65c763-c36f-4507-8a7d-13517032aa22
* McFaul directly debating Mearsheimer on this topic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivcSVG5eCeQ
* William Spaniel on the causes of the war - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBwT-5z9R5A
* Timothy Snyder on the causes of the war - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfnza5YmRrE
* Kraut on Realism - really long, but insightful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXmwyyKcBLk
Hi Juris - thanks very much for this and for pointing out the issue of the source. At the time, based on the limited research I had, this source seemed convincing enough, and the credentials seemed fine of Mearsheimer. I admit that I did not look closer, and was unaware of the criticism until your post!
I have removed the reference and added the ones from Timothy Snyder and William Spaniel, as you're right that they seem to be a more objective analysis.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Hi Gergely, Thanks for the support!
Few corrections/updates.
- War started on Thursday 24, not Tuesday 22.
- Fedorov - First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation. Not Vice President.
- Softserve - a company with more than 8,000 tech employees in Ukraine.
Thanks a lot, IM. I indeed got the dates wrong. Corrected these and sourced better details for employee numbers.
What about banning Russia from using open source software by amending OSI licenses to include special clauses? Applied on a large scale this could kill the software business in Russia altogether, and with it a considerable flow of money to the country.
Quoting from my article:
"Is blocking Russian customers the best approach in this case? Sure, it’s tempting to follow the footsteps of sanctions that countries are doing. But will it have the effect that these companies hope: that is, helping to end the conflict sooner? (...)
I don’t have the answer to what is the right approach. Still, instead of “sanctioning” Russian customers, why not help refugees and contribute to humanitarian efforts?"
Because we should do both!
Small correction - “… don’t allow sponsoring people as highly skilled migrants once within the EU, so the current plan is to help people get to Bulgaria or Georgia, and apply for this visa from there.” - Bulgaria is within the EU
Thank you! Corrected and you're right.