Where is today's Wind of Change?

The Cold War maybe over yet we are locked in a moment in time near the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

On Russian social media there is a deep fake circulating with President Putin and President Lukashenko in a prison. Putin says, "we need a plan to get us out". Lukashenko says, "don't worry about it. I have a map tattooed on my back for our escape plan". He shows Putin the tattoo. Putin pauses in disbelief. He says, "it's a map of the Minsk transit system". This tells much about Russian people’s view of these two. Both committed in this war together, but without a good exit plan. If this message were conveyed any less clever, it would not be truly Russian.

There are varying opinions amongst Russian people concerning the war in Ukraine. One is the war in Ukraine is wrong. Another is Ukraine is rightfully Russian territory, and Russia's invasion is justified given what the Soviet Union lost territorially. A more philosopical view is that Russia is doing what Russia has always done, that which Russia will always do. Some think Ukraine should be part of the Russian Federation, however, the revenge over the fallout of the Soviet Union is a moot point now. Fix Russia first.  

One thing is certain, being further alienated from Europe and the United States is not something that serves the Russian people well. The Russian Federation sending tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus between September 2023 and February 2024. President Lukashenko publicly indicated that he will not hesitate to hit that button, turn those keys. Now, the START Treaty seems more a gesture than agreement.

The Cold War maybe over yet we are locked in a moment in time near the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Since this very point in history is what drives the Russian Federation's advances on Ukrainian territory. In 1990, Klaus Meine of the Scorpions wrote the Wind of Change. The lyrics are about the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was speaking directly to the people of the former Soviet Union about the end of the Cold War.

While the Scorpions Wind of Change didn't end the Cold War, it went a long way from speaking directly to the Soviet people, mostly cut-off from the rest of Europe. Klaus Meine was saying to them, "we see you" "we hear you" "we have hope for you". There was a clear distinction between the government and the people. A cultural bridge that transcends government in a way that only music and poetry can. Wind of Change meant something to people in Russia at this time. The cultural element and connection to humanity was important in driving the people’s spirit for a new governance that looks West.

This unquantifiable feeling that connects humanity means something to people. It has the power to move governments along a direction. Given current events, this music is something that we still need today. I do not hear it in popular music. Maybe people have become comfortable.

~E

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