I’m sure that may play a part. Is it worth risking a nuclear war over? Perhaps the death of hundreds of millions of people?
America and NATO are not doing anything wrong, so there is no reason for us to surrender to Russia’s demands, and we sure can’t submit under the threat of Russia nuking us.
“I’m sure that may play a part. Is it worth risking a nuclear war over? Perhaps the death of hundreds of millions of people?”
So, it will never stop. Country A, which has nukes, says it will nuke Country B unless Country B gives Country A what it wants, justified or not. All it has to do is wax indignant and wave the nuclear threat, and Country B gives up. Then, there will be another country who is threatened, and another; until there are no countries left, but Country A.
It’s simplistic, but the point is valid.
For a hungry bully forever needs feeding; and will continue to prey on others until it is stopped; because it is never sated, and will continue to feed unless it IS stopped.
There was a saying way back in the day — perhaps before your time; but I remember it quite well — that it was “Better (to be) Red, than Dead.” I never subscribed to such a sentiment. The history of Red (communism) has shown us the folly of that sentiment. Just as those who appeased Nazi Germany, convincing themselves that, “It can’t happen here; it can’t happen to us. Man has progressed beyond that.”
Well, sad to say, Man has NOT progressed beyond that, because peace is the aberration, and war and conflict and conquest is the norm. Civilization is but a thin and fragile scab atop the festering sore of barbarism that is present in ALL people, though institutions and rules of law seek to keep that barbarism in check.
Throughout history there have been Reds and Nazis and Mongols and Huns and countless other dogmas and tribes that have slaughtered and oppressed their way across the vastness of the globe...UNTIL THEY WERE STOPPED.