In October of 1956 the citizens of Hungary initiated major protests against the communist government.  To the surprise of everyone the demonstrators prevailed and the communist government was overthrown.  The people rejoiced.  But in the meantime the Soviet Union was massing troops on the border.  Ultimately the Soviet Union decided that the United States would not intervene, so the troops were sent in and the revolution was crushed.  They were right.  The U.S. did not respond and Hungary paid a very high price as a result.

Now the people in the Ukraine have overthrown their government and once again Russia is massing troops.  There are reports that some Russian troops have already been deployed.

President Obama said any military movements taken by Russia inside of Ukraine would be deeply destablizing.  He said that the United States would stand with the international community and warned Russia that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.  I am sure Putin is shaking in his boots!   It’s too bad this didn’t happen a few weeks ago so we could have boycotted the Sochi Olympics!.  That really worked for Jimmy Carter.

This is not 1956 and modern day Russia is not the Soviet Union.  This is the age of the internet and the people in the Ukraine may put up more of a fight than you can imagine.  In addition, Russian troops may have a limit to what they are willing to do.  But this is all too similar to Hungary in 1956.  It is also too similar to the tactics used by Adolph Hitler prior to World War II.

I cannot possibly predict what will happen, but it is obvious that no one anywhere in the world will look to the U.S. for leadership.  Ted Cruz recently said that he feared massive loss of life because of the failed leadership of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry.  I hope he got that wrong.  I fear he got it right.  The world is Hungary for leadership tonight.  This is not likely to end well.

TDM