DELUSIONAL

History is filled with examples of political and military leaders who have suffered from being delusional. We are watching in amazement as many current Western leaders are exhibiting clear signs of operating under false beliefs about the true nature of the Ukraine conflict.

On December 7, 1941 the Japanese military attacked the United States Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. At the time it was a surprise strike conducted by the Japanese naval forces in the hopes of knocking out the American Pacific fleet. In many ways, it was a limited effort with relatively modest goals. The idea held by some in the Japanese leadership that a highly militarized Japan could ultimately defeat the United States of America was delusional. The immense size and potential of the United States clearly dwarfed any capabilities the Japanese had. Some in the Japanese military leadership understood that the strike on Pearl Harbor would “wake a sleeping giant” and in the end Japan would be defeated in an absolute “total war” with the United States.

In February of 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine with a relatively small force designed to shock the Ukraine leadership to acquiesce to Russian demands to honor earlier Minsk Agreements regarding the Donbas Region and for Ukraine to remain out of NATO it appeared that the goal might have been achieved with the Istanbul agreement. However, Western leaders were operating under the delusion that NATO trained and equipped Ukraine forces could defeat the Russian military in the field. Furthermore, Western political leaders were convinced that their economic sanctions against Russia would destroy the Russian economy and ultimately bring about “regime” change in Russia. They were delusional in those beliefs also.

As we watched the debacle of President Zelensky’s meeting with President Trump it became clear that President Zelensky was delusional about his ability to force President Trump into continuing American support for their war against Russia. His petty, confrontational dialogue quickly escalated to an utter disaster.  He was ill advised to assert demands which were seen by many Americans as being ungrateful and entitled.

It is also clear that European leaders are suffering under the same delusions as they assert a “go it alone” attitude regarding support for Ukraine. It will not go well for any of them.