Re: re: Russian attack on Ukraine
Maybe.
Both countries embraced independence and capitalism in much the same way, creating their oligarchs. Similar I guess to the way old & new money bankrolls politicians around the world, with varying levels of corruption. Difference is probably the level of violence used during business disputes and hostile takeovers. West uses lawyers, oligarchs used automatic weapons and grenades. But huge profits to be skimmed from previously nationalised industries.
Oligarchs also recruited foot soldiers, eg the 'ultras' from Ukrainian football clubs, which became units like Azov. Now integrated into the UAF, but still using Nazi iconography like the wolfsangel and black sun. There are also several far-right political parties, but they've tended to get <10% of the vote. Risk though is current events might help Ukraine's ultra-nationalists.
I wish I could remember the name of a book by a senior Israeli police officer. It describes the challenges Israel faced when it encouraged Jewish people from the Eastern bloc to migrate, because they brought organised crime with them. Which I guess adds to the political challenges, ie oligarchs using their Israeli passports and banking secrecy to avoid sanctions.
It's a big mess though, especially when Ukrainians like Semion Mogilevich live happily in Moscow.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
