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Corruption and War
Political corruption, clearly evidenced in Ukraine and Russia, lies at the heart of the violent confrontation unfolding before us in Eastern Europe. The levers of military power in both countries, initially funded by political consensus and developed under the guise of national defense, have now been co-opted by criminals and thieves posing as government officials. Acknowledging this age old truism is the first step toward resolving the conflict roiling the world today.
Accurate identification of these warring factions and the means by which they fund their activities is critical to success. To do so we must dispassionately deescalate the situation using objective observation, rational analysis, and heartfelt empathy for opinions that may differ from our point of view. This is called diplomacy. Above all, we must open our hearts, and minds, to the role we all share in maintaining a world that is free, fair, and equitable for all.
It may come as a surprise to many readers that the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021 ranks Ukraine and Russia almost equally — Ukraine is #122 and Russia is #125 among the 180 nations surveyed. By comparison, the United States ranks #27, Canada #13, and Japan #18. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, political stability in Russia and many of its former satellite states, including Ukraine, has been maintained by a corrupt union of wealthy…
