Masters of War
War
As Russia attacks Ukraine, and people are forced to choose between fighting and fleeing, and Europe eyes the largest land war since 1944, it can feel like a time where words fail, and there’s very little to really add. Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked attack is just that — power and force wielded against the less powerful, with very few good options in or outside of Ukraine (unless the rest of the world is ready for a military clash with a nuclear power).
In the news, we have been covering each escalation and development; drawing on reports from the ground, and experts who’ve spent decades thinking about a region that is not usually on most Americans’ radar.
“You that hide behind desks”
The Soviet Union collapsed, the Cold War was on hiatus, and yet Putin’s aggression brings back many of the same problems from decades past. I’m reminded of Bob Dylan’s condemnation of Cold War power politics, and how strongmen and politicians force suffering on everyone else, in the protest anthem, Masters of War:
Come, you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know:
I can see through your masks
The song is blunt. It is angry and mournful. Much of the commentary on war feels timeless, while he rejects the sales pitch of a “Cold War victory” just over the horizon, tackling the specific geopolitics of the early 1960s:
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
‘A World War can be won!’
you want me to believe
Wars can also be complex.
There are often dueling arguments for “self defense” and territorial integrity; contested historical claims; and plenty of unsavory acts and figures to attack. Dylan tackles, and dismisses, the argument that experience or expertise are prerequisites to taking a position—in simple lines that capture a revolutionary generation’s righteous fury towards the people in charge:
You might say that, I'm young
You might say, I'm unlearned
but there's one thing I know
though I'm younger than you
that even Jesus would never
forgive what you do
Dylan’s anti war positions and words had enormous support with younger people during Vietnam era. Probably because young men paid the price being drafted and forced to fight in an unpopular war. I cringe at Putins support by some right wing leaning Americans. I do not understand. I fear the world will bear witness to the wholesale slaughter of Ukrainians and even though I don’t even know any Ukrainians I feel devastated. In my opinion Dylan is the voice of humanity.
Good article Ari- I am hoping Putin's thirst for power and apparent insanity will finally be put out as he underestimated the worlds, Ukraine's and his own citizens response. His speech is very much like trump's- erratic and makes little sense. I appreciate the good coverage of this but look forward to other newsworthy items being covered again. I know it is tough on commentators keeping up with everything. Make time for yourself too.