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> How do they explain the cognitive dissonance that instead of defending Russia they are actively attacking Ukraine? It makes no sense at all. Replace 'Russia'
by Eddy_Viscosity2 2y ago
> How do they explain the cognitive dissonance that instead of defending Russia they are actively attacking Ukraine? It makes no sense at all.
Replace 'Russia' with 'USA', and 'Ukraine' with 'Iraq'. There are lots of other examples that could be used as well. I am firmly in the camp that believe Russia is in the wrong here and also that the US was wrong to invade Iraq. But that doesn't change the fact that its easy to create a strong rational-sounding argument about how an offense is really a defense. It happens all the time. There is no dissonance. They believe that the attack is the defense.
- benterix 2y ago> Replace 'Russia' with 'USA', and 'Ukraine' with 'Iraq'. This is actually an excellent example because it's clear that invasion was as wrong as the other one. When Bush designed his mad plan to attack Afghanistan and Iraq, he faced enormous outcry from his allies. In Europe, there were the biggest anti-war protests in the modern history of the continent (I believe in Rome it was 5 million people). It made no sense then, it made no sense during the war, and it makes no sense now. The only "positive" aspect of that war is that the USA is now much more careful when considering its options as it's clear that starting the war is relatively easy and having a positive outcome (so-called "winning") are two different things. Russia is only learning this now.