The Modern Man

Wars and rumors of war. We could draw several parallels between now and the events leading up to World War one, and even the events leading up to World War two.  

The period leading up to World War I was marked by a complex web of alliances, rising nationalism, militarism, and colonial rivalries. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip (one of the most important events in human history) triggered a chain reaction, leading to Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on Serbia. This event set off a domino effect, activating a series of mutual defense agreements and ultimately leading to a broader conflict involving most of Europe. The Great War, as it was known, was characterized by trench warfare, massive casualties, and a reshaping of political landscapes across the continent. 

World War II, in contrast, had its roots in the unresolved issues from the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. The harsh terms imposed on Germany, coupled with the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party, fueled resentment and aggression. The Great Depression of the 1930s further destabilized global politics, leading to the rise of authoritarian regimes in Germany, Italy, and Japan. The immediate catalyst for World War II was Germany’s invasion of Poland in September 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war. This conflict became a global struggle, with massive battles across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, culminating in the use of atomic bombs and the reshaping of international power structures. 

Both wars dramatically altered the course of history, with profound effects on global politics, society, and technology. These events remind us that conflict often stems from a combination of political tension, economic instability, and aggressive nationalism. By examining these historical events, we can better understand the complexities of a world at war and perhaps find insights into how to navigate our own tumultuous times with wisdom and caution. 

Coming back to today we can see the drums of war beating around the world, with several areas already experiencing the horror and human loss of life that comes from armed conflict.  

The tragic Russian invasion of Ukraine is terrible, the loss of life is immense and far greater than the mainstream media would have people believe, with Ukraine coming off far worse. It amazes me that the western media portray any hope of Ukraine winning this conflict, and in doing so, all they achieve is more pain and suffering for the poor souls trapped in-between a proxy war, because let’s be honest, that’s what this is. It’s the west (the U.S., U.K. France etc.) against Russia. Our western leaders claim to be the good guys in this fight, that the Evil Vladimir Putin needs to be stopped at all costs, that if he isn’t he will come for you next, the Baltic states, Finland, Sweden, no one is safe.  

Anyone capable of critical thought can see not only is this pure fantasy, but its fantasy that is very dangerous. Russia invaded Ukraine for one simple reason. And that reason is Ukraine represents an existential threat to Russia, the presence of NATO in Ukraine and the joining of Ukraine in the NATO ranks is a reality that they won’t tolerate. And it’s understandable why. Parts of Ukraine are actually east of Moscow, the Russian capital.  

It’s akin to Russia having bases in Wales, or Mexico, or you could compare it to the red line America drew at the Cuban missile crisis, just because it’s now Russia drawing the line doesn’t make it any less valid. Russia has been saying since at least 2012, and possible even 2008, that any decision on joining NATO from Ukraine, any interference in that zone by western governments would result in the invasion of the territory of Ukraine, but for some reason when it finally happened everyone freaked out? Like it was such a shock and Suprise. That is exactly what they want you to think, they wouldn’t admit to doing exactly what they had to do to get Russia to invade. Which was their goal. We can discuss more on the Ukraine Russia conflict in another post. But for now, let’s move on.  

Big, Bad Iran. The Persian serpent, another country on the U.S.’s hit list. We have seen quite the escalation in recent weeks between Iran Israel, with the two countries directly targeting and striking each other without the use of proxies for the first time. This is a big deal.  

Israel is surrounded by “enemies” Hamas, Hezbollah, Iranian proxies to name just a few. The geopolitical situation in this part of the world is tumultuous to say the least. The October 7^th attacks in Israel were horrific, and anyone using the history between Hamas and Israel as justification for them should be ashamed of themselves. It is true that Israel is far from a guilt free party in their history, neither side can be seen as having clean hands in this prolonged state of pain between the two groups. Israel has every right to defend itself and its citizens from future attacks, but at what cost? I don’t claim to know the answer, because to say Israel has the right then the reverse must also be true, Palestine has the right to defend itself against attacks also. As would Lebanon, Syria and Iran.  

The new escalation is worrying, with direct conflict between Israel and Iran seemingly closer than ever, Israel having the backing of the U.S. and Iran the backing of Russia this could be seen as another proxy war between the two nations, just with far greater stakes at hand. Again, we could discuss this geopolitical s**t storm in another post. But onwards to China.  

China, The sleeping Dragon. China wants Taiwan, no doubt about it, no if ands or buts. With XI Jinping saying China’s “Reunification” with Taiwan inevitable, it seems one day, and I suspect, one day soon, we shall see China make a move on the island nation. Which would be a serious conflict, undoubtably draw in the United States, and could ignite the whole region. The tensions between North and South Korea could and I would predict would worsen to a state of war between the two countries if China invades Taiwan. Kim would feel emboldened with the actions of China and the inevitable draw of American forces.  

America would find it difficult, near impossible to fight a war on multiple fronts, if all these hot spots kicked off, they would be spread thin, their allies would have to pick up the slack in several areas. But who could they rely on, who realistically would come to the calling? I’m not sure, could be all of them, the European countries, Australia and New Zealand maybe? But people remember the GWOT (global war on terror) and they are tired of fighting. We can explore these topics in more detail in further posts. But for now, its important to talk about the role of The Modern Man in such a world.  

The Modern Man must hold firm, do his own research and more importantly, his own thinking. Try to put yourself in other people’s shoes, see it from their point of view, we are all humans, so humanize with the other side. War is hell, its f**king terrible, and no one comes off Scott free from war. We must rationalize the current geopolitical environment, we must learn to navigate it with Mercy, Love and Grace. 

In a world where conflict and war seem to be constant companions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or powerless. However, The Modern Man’s role in these challenging times is more critical than ever. By staying informed, thinking critically, and approaching all situations with empathy and compassion, we can make a difference, both in our personal lives and in the broader societal context. 

War is never just about nations and politics; it’s about people—families, communities, and cultures. As modern men, we should strive to understand the complexities of the world around us while upholding our values of justice, compassion, and truth. We must reject the easy answers and the narratives that encourage hatred or violence and instead work towards solutions that prioritize peace and understanding. 

As we navigate this turbulent era, let us remain true to ourselves and our ideals. Seek knowledge, question everything, and approach every issue with an open mind. By doing so, we can be a force for good in a world that desperately needs it. 

Faithfully yours, 

Jack.