Are you referring to that time when allies asked Poland not to mobilise the army to avoid provoking Hitler, so Poland did not mobilise… And Hitler did not attack, instead they all smiled and danced together and 1939 is remembered as a year when diplomacy prevailed! /S
Or the one when Ukraine handed over their nuclear weapons to Russia and in exchange Russia agreed to never attack them
Or to Switzerland that is neutral in every conflict. Has only 9 million citizens but 100 000 soldiers in active duty, 50 000 in reserve and more than half million civilians with army training. They also had explosives under every bridge, and a lot of weapon stashes all over the country, just in case.
In the first case, it’s easy to see with hindsight that Hitler should not have appeared nor trusted . But context is important: Europe had lost 20 million people in WW1. It is entirely understandable that they should pursue peace and not war.
In the second, there are two sides to an agreement, and Ukraine did not honour its undertakings to Russia.
Switzerland obviously has no treaties of mutual defence, they are not in nato, nor in the EU, so run a much larger army that countries that have them.
Not much progressive about calling for Europe to be put on war footing.
It’s so misguided it’s hard to know where to begin.
“be put on war footing”… By having an army? Did you ever heard that old saying “if you want peace, prepare for war.”?
Yes I’ve heard it and like a lot of old sayings, it’s fairly ignorant.
And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we already have armies, navies, airforce, and cyber forces on hand.
What’s ignorant about it?
Are you serious?
It implies militarisation guarantees peace.
It implies that when you are strong, people are afraid to attack you.
And with the benefit of historical evidence , how’s that worked out ?
Are you referring to that time when allies asked Poland not to mobilise the army to avoid provoking Hitler, so Poland did not mobilise… And Hitler did not attack, instead they all smiled and danced together and 1939 is remembered as a year when diplomacy prevailed! /S
Or the one when Ukraine handed over their nuclear weapons to Russia and in exchange Russia agreed to never attack them
Or to Switzerland that is neutral in every conflict. Has only 9 million citizens but 100 000 soldiers in active duty, 50 000 in reserve and more than half million civilians with army training. They also had explosives under every bridge, and a lot of weapon stashes all over the country, just in case.
In the first case, it’s easy to see with hindsight that Hitler should not have appeared nor trusted . But context is important: Europe had lost 20 million people in WW1. It is entirely understandable that they should pursue peace and not war.
In the second, there are two sides to an agreement, and Ukraine did not honour its undertakings to Russia.
Switzerland obviously has no treaties of mutual defence, they are not in nato, nor in the EU, so run a much larger army that countries that have them.