COMMENT | Feb 24, 2022 will go down in the history of the early 21st century as a day in infamy. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and flagrant invasion of another independent, sovereign nation constitutes a violent disregard of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and threatens the Westphalian system of nation-states in place since 1648. 

It is probably the greatest threat to world peace since the end of World War II and the establishment of the United Nations in 1945.  The brazenness of Putin’s (above) militarist egregious folly, resulting in war in the heart of Europe in the 21st century, rendered billions across the globe incredulous and speechless.  I have been numbed for days.

That this is very much Putin’s war is not in doubt.  Over two decades, his control over Russia has made him more powerful and dangerous than any Tzar or even Joseph Stalin.  As a totalitarian leader par excellence, he exercises absolute power. 

He has crushed dissent, poisoned his opponents, taken over...