Has Russia Become a Totalitarian Country?

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D

JERUSALEM — Reports tell of severely censored media, and tough Russian police actions against protesters of what the country is doing in Ukraine.

We also hear of opposition, but quiet, among senior officers. And timid rebellion in the military. Of not fighting in peak form. As well as absorbing considerable casualties from Ukrainian fighters.

It also appears that Ukraine has earned the title of a real country. Earlier there was doubt. But the willingness of many to stand up to what appears as superior Russian capacities has gained that place the respect of what observers from other riven societies had termed something less than a real state.

The outcome is far from clear. Both with respect to Ukraine and with respect to Russia. Will the first continue to hold out? And how will the second fare against severe sanctions?

What about military aid to Ukraine?

And who will rebuild a country that has suffered considerable losses and much damage?

Will more than two million outgoing refugees ever return? How will they be absorbed, live, and work in their new homelands?

Heartbreaking reports about cities with no food, clean water, or medicine.

Russia began this war with a third world economy. And with less than a first world army. But with awesome weapons. Could those weapons be unleashed? Would they perform any better than the forces sent into Ukraine?

No doubt the United States bears some responsibility for the problems with Russia. But do Russian claims against the U.S. justify the destruction of Ukraine? And the threat of using nuclear weapons? Or the possibility of gas or biological weapons?

Lots of comments and actions, not linked in anything coherent.

Ukrainians are criticizing Israel for not responding to calls for help with military supplies, or sanctions against Russia.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has talked about his conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and has mentioned the possibility of peace talks with Russia in Jerusalem.

Israel’s Minister of Interior has authorized the movement of refugees from the airport to hotels, while their status is being clarified.

And another indication of refugees spending hours in the airport. While a Minister notes, with cynicism, that Israel is the only country that screens refugee applicants on a religious test. And how to test thousands of arrivals, who left their country without official papers able to prove that they are Jews?

Reports about thousands of Russian troops killed. Along with indications of the Russians strengthening their onslaught, slow as it is, on Kiev and other Ukrainian cities.

Provision of arms from the U.S. and European countries to Ukraine. A move toward World War III? That’ll depend on the Russian response.

Will Vladimir Putin stop with a destroyed Ukraine? And a severely weakened Russian economy? Or move into Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

What about the U.S. responsibility for moving NATO eastward, to include Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Was that wise or appropriate in the context of a fallen Soviet Union. And was it justification for Russian aggression?

War is hell. It’s also an occasion for conflicting platitudes. And lots of sadness. Do we need more reminders?

Has Russia become a totalitarian country?

It could get a lot worse. For all of us.

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Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D., is professor emeritus of political science at Hebrew University. He may be contacted via ira.sharkansky@sdjewishworld.com