International agreements that cede key strategic assets in exchange for vague “assurances” of future support are not worth the paper they’re written on. “For what is a binding peace [agreement] among sovereign nations when one of the attributes of sovereignty is the right to change one’s mind?” — Henry Kissinger.
Israel Today – Martin Sherman Yossi Cohen, the former director of Mossad touched only briefly on the war in Ukraine, but what he said was significant and incisive. After giving a brief tour d’horizon of the combined military might of NATO—on both sides of the Atlantic—he made the poignant observation that, despite NATO’s awesome power, “no one came to save even one Ukrainian baby.”
Indeed, for Ukrainians, the situation must be particularly galling. After all, it is has been barely 20 years since the Budapest Memorandum was signed, in which Russia, the US and the UK pledged to refrain from threatening or using military force or economic coercion against Ukraine if the country gave up its nuclear weapons.
Clearly, there have since been blatant Russian violations of the Memorandum, notably the 2014 annexation of Crimea and then the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In a caustic review of Ukraine’s fate—and the chain of events that led up to it—Erielle Davidson of George Mason University berated the Memorandum’s “stark failure” and noted the “host of lessons that might be drawn from [its] collapse.”
Amidst the debate over how best to respond to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, it’s worth recalling a bleak truth: we convinced Ukraine to give up its greatest tool of deterrence—its nuclear weapon arsenal.
The 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances promised that the United States, Britain and Russia would “respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine” and would “refrain from the threat or use of force” against the country. In exchange for such security assurances, Ukraine forfeited what was then the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal, amounting to some 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads.
In agreeing to the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine had sought compensation for the highly-enriched uranium then lodged in its warheads and, most importantly, security assurances that it would not be invaded. By 1996, Ukraine had handed over all its nuclear warheads to the Kremlin.
Though the text itself does not convey anything beyond a minimal promise not to violate the territorial integrity of Ukraine, American negotiators reportedly made an unwritten commitment to Ukrainian officials that if Russia were to breach the Memorandum, the United States would engage in a strong response.
These paper promises amounted to nothing when Putin annexed Crimea in 2014 and fostered breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. Nor have such promises kept Ukraine from facing down the current campaign for its national annihilation alone.
Manos says
You forgot to mention the invasion of occupation of Northern Cyprus by Turkey and the recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey, Pakistan and foreign jihadists. Oh and Turkey opposition party threatens to Target Israel, Saudi Arabia and Greece. No wonder Israel, Saudi Arabia and Greece establishing good regional ties with each other.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkeys-opposition-promises-go-after-israel-saudi-arabia-and-greece
BareNakedIslam says
Yes, I did, thanks for the reminder.
Linda Rivera says
NATO made rabid Christian-hater, Muslim Turkey, a NATO member. DESTROYING CHRISTIAN EUROPE’S SAFETY and Hope For SURVIVAL against Muslim Savagery, Barbarism and Genocide.
Just one hundred years ago, Turkey barbarically slaughtered millions of Christians in the Armenian Genocide. Christian men, women, children and BABIES were starved and horribly slaughtered. Christian girls were hung on crosses. GANG RAPED. Christians suffered terrible SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE TORTURE/SLAUGHTERS.
Just a few years ago, at a Paris, France Concert Muslims OBEYING BLOODTHIRSTY Quran commands perpetrated SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE TORTURE SLAUGHTERS on our precious French brothers and sisters. Muslims CELEBRATED on the street outside.
Linda Rivera says
Outrageous. Shameful. Disgusting. WICKED. And Radically Anti-God.
Israel is in urgent need of an ethical, God-fearing Israeli govt and leaders who will NOT PROTECT HAMAS TERRORISTS.
On Judgment Day, all responsible for this extreme wickedness will answer to the Just Judge, the Righteous HOLY ONE, our Precious, Wonderful, Awesome Creator.
The HOLY ONE of Israel commanded Israel’s leaders to protect their people.
https://www.meforum.org/63344/israel-needs-to-change-its-strategy-against-hamas
There is arguably no greater symbol of Israel’s reluctance to go on the military offensive than the Hamas observation and sniper tower which overlooks the Israeli community of Netiv Ha’asara.
This simple structure, erected around half a year ago, was built to threaten by its presence hundreds if not thousands of Israeli civilians – men, women and children – going about their daily lives.
Its continued presence is an affront to the security that the State of Israel is supposed to provide to every single one of its citizens.
Nevertheless, recent events have put it into even sharper contrast.
After rocket fire from Gaza into Israel last Saturday, Israel responded with a few strikes, including on the cabin of the observation tower, destroying it but not the structure itself, meaning it could be easily and speedily rebuilt. Which it was only a few days later.
According to reports, the IDF preferred not to take out the whole structure because it would have endangered Hamas operatives on the ground. Instead, it is now being reported that Israel’s reaction to the observation tower is simply to move the entrance to Netiv Ha’asara so it is no longer visible from the tower……
Lest anyone think that purely reactive statements are unique to the current leadership, previous prime ministers have not been much better…….
……After rebuilding the observation tower, Hamas put up a warning sign in broken Hebrew to Israelis watching only yards away that they will be driven “Out of Palestine soon… The destruction of the enemy is near.”
Sheikh_Anvakh says
A fat lot of good “judgement day” will be, AFTER everyone is dead. Keep spouting the nonsense that somehow “god” will come to our aid and “vanquish our enemies”. Is that before or after several millions die again? BTW, those same enemies are still there, just under a different flag and also believe that “God” is on their sides.
Linda Rivera says
AMERICA is one of the participants.
The leftist MSM media, including the not so left, informs us that Russia is losing the war with Ukraine. That Russia doesn’t have enough military and enough weapons to fight the war.
If that is true, why is Russia sending Russian troops, navy ships and aircraft to Nicaragua, Central America for six months?
BILLIONS of US DOLLARS $$$$$$$$, plus massive amounts of military equipment and US troops have been sent to Ukraine. Ukraine brags that they have a NWO Globalist govt.
We’re told that Russia is the enemy and that US/NATO is fighting for Ukraine against Russia.
We are ALL being LIED to.
This article shows that the Obama-Biden regime are PARTNERS with Russia. Is it the plan of the Obama-Biden communist regime to have their communist partners — Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua and other communist nations to ATTACK and CONQUER America some time in a six month period?
https://www.laprensalatina.com/nicaragua-authorizes-entry-of-russian-troops-navy-ships-warplanes/
Nicaragua authorizes entry of Russian troops, navy ships, warplanes
June 14, 2022
Managua, Jun 14 (EFE).- Nicaragua’s National Assembly, where the Sandinistas have a decisive majority, on Tuesday authorized the entry of Russian troops, navy ships and aircraft – at the urgent request of President Daniel Ortega – to participate in anti-crime operations off the country’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
The entry of troops from Russia, which invaded neighboring Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been mired in warfare there ever since, was given the green light with the vote of 78 Sandinista lawmakers and their allies, out of the 91 seats in Parliament.
The legislators also approved the entry of military personnel, ships and aircraft from Cuba, the United States, Mexico, Venezuela and other Central American countries for six months starting in July.
Reader says
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ArWcaGVCMAAeV0s.jpg
Rebel Patriot says
That is why I also question the Abraham Accords peace agreement with muslim countries. Israel had better be very careful. Dealing with muslims is like being prepared to be stabbed in the back. Long live Israel!!
Charles Black says
Exactly. Any deal with muslims is like trying to make a deal with a snake and hope they don’t bite you.
Linda Rivera says
Only SATANISTS — the EU, British, European, Canadian, American and other Western governments would colonize our Christian nations with the cruel followers of the RAPE MURDER BLOOD CONQUEST Cult of warlord Mohammad — the PERSECUTORS of CHRISTIANS.
Look what the snake, Yasser Arafat and his MUSLIM TERRORIST Organization Occupation Forces perpetrated on Jews. The WORTHLESS 1993 Oslo Peace Accord.
Israel: Stop being naive. You are a sovereign nation given to Jews by our Precious, Wonderful, Glorious, Awesome Creator, the HOLY ONE, as an everlasting possession.
Under extreme pressure you gave away a huge part of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Your sovereign God-given land to Arab Muslims. Land that never belonged to Muslims. Declare Your sovereignty over God-given Judea Samaria and Gaza. And Retake. Now.
Ask God’s forgiveness and rebuild the Third Jewish Temple.
https://www.americaoutloud.com/the-most-persecuted-people-on-earth-in-the-21st-century-are-christians-by-muslims/
The Most Persecuted People on Earth in the 21st Century are Christians by Muslims
by IQ al-Rassooli | Oct 12, 2020
………..10th May 1994, speech by Yasser Arafat, Johannesburg: “This agreement, I am not considering it more than the agreement which had been signed between our Prophet Muhammad and Quraish, and you remember the Caliph Omar had refused this agreement and considered it “Sulha Dania” [a despicable truce]. But Muhammad had accepted it and we are accepting now this [Oslo] peace accord (1993).”
Note: Arafat compares the Oslo Accords with the Hudaybiyyah peace treaty; thus terror attacks against Israeli civilians were conducted immediately after that accord.
Take no prisoners: Muhammad used to slaughter the males of the tribes that he accused of aggression so that only the women and children are kept alive for rape and/or sold into slavery……….
Linda Rivera says
Yossi Cohen, the former director of Mossad: “despite NATO’s awesome power, “no one came to save even one Ukrainian baby.”
America is NATO’s leader. America pays mega dollars $$$$ far, far more than other NATO members. Christians are the most persecuted people on earth in Muslim nations.
NATO made rabid Christian-hater, Muslim Turkey, a NATO member. DESTROYING CHRISTIAN EUROPE’S SAFETY and Hope For SURVIVAL against Muslim Savagery, Barbarism and Genocide.
Just one hundred years ago, Turkey barbarically slaughtered millions of Christians in the Armenian Genocide. Christian men, women, children and BABIES were starved and horribly slaughtered. Christian girls were hung on crosses. GANG RAPED. Christians suffered terrible SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE TORTURE/SLAUGHTERS.
Just a few years ago, at a Paris, France Concert Muslims OBEYING BLOODTHIRSTY Quran commands perpetrated SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE TORTURE SLAUGHTERS on our precious French brothers and sisters. Muslims CELEBRATED on the street outside.
Christians are the Most Persecuted People on Earth. In Muslim countries, CHRISTIAN BABIES, children, teens, men and women are barbarically slaughtered. Kidnapped, gang raped; their homes and churches burnt down.
An ongoing CHRISTIAN GENOCIDE by Muslims is perpetrated in Africa.
US/NATO and other Western governments refuse to give a single gun, bullet, dollar or euro to our African Christian brothers and sisters to defend themselves from Muslim attacker killer savages. The cruel Armies of barbarian savage, warlord Mohammad.
US/NATO and Western governments refuse to save the Christians. Instead of rescuing African, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and other severely persecuted Christians, US/NATO and Western governments heavily COLONIZED our formerly safe Christian nations with the MUSLIM PERSECUTORS of Christians.
https://www.americaoutloud.com/the-most-persecuted-people-on-earth-in-the-21st-century-are-christians-by-muslims/
The Most Persecuted People on Earth in the 21st Century are Christians by Muslims
by IQ al-Rassooli | Oct 12, 2020
Sheikh_Anvakh says
Yet strangely, not a squeak of protest from the useless wet lettuce Archbishop Welby, or the Marxist Antichrist so-called Pope.
Abdul says
On the other hand, Israel can be forced to give citizenship to 3 million Muslims in Judea and Samaria with a something like what happened to South Africa, Israel already struggle with 20% Muslims Within the 67 borders country itself.
democracy is used against the west by Muslims.
Hartmut says
The little detail Mr. Cohen failed to mention though is that last year Ukrainian president Selensky, seemingly emboldened by a perspective of joining NATO, brazenly talked about reestablishing the former nuclear arsenal – right at Russia’s door step.
And second he utters no word about Israel deliberately not severing ties to the political class in Moscow in return for no trouble in Syria.
Russia clearly undermined peace in Ukraine but things are a lot more complex than media tend to report.
Az gal says
You can’t trust anybody. Not even the US, but especially not Moslems.
TED says
certainly can not trust US under Biden or Harris
Az gal says
Israel should not/shouldn’t have given away its land. It’s not what God wanted.
Sheikh_Anvakh says
Would that be the same god were told gave us free will? You can’t have it both ways.
Cleavis Nowell says
So called Western democracies are hypocrites at best and can not be trusted. Israel should use the neutron bomb on terrorist Iranian regime !