An article at Politico.eu looks at the “internationalization” of the war that began simply enough between attacker Russia and attacked Ukraine. Over time aid, weapons, and some troops from many other places have been drawn in.
Over time the conflict has come to resemble the meat-grinder stalemate of the World War I trenches, eating up men and material without much progress on either side. The article suggests that World War III has begun in Ukraine. I don’t entirely disagree with the “World War III precursor” label.
Given the ethnic similarity of these two initial combatants - Russia and Ukraine - I’d argue perhaps a better model for the conflict is the Spanish Civil War. It became the “out-of-town tryout” for World War II.
The German and Italian Fascists pitched in to aid the Franco-led Nationalist side. USSR and its Communist sympathizers from across the world supported the so-called ‘Republican’ side. (no relation to U.S. Republican Party). Similar outside help now flows to the sides in Ukraine.
Outsider supporters in Spain perfected weaponry and learned lessons they later used throughout World War II. Lessons are also being learned in Ukraine, particularly the many uses of drones, the gluttonous material consumption and necessity of stockpiling munitions.
In Spain, both sets of outside supporters successfully limited their own commitment enough to stay clear of becoming actual co-combatants for the most part. The war did not significantly spread beyond Spain’s borders. So far this is true of Ukraine.
Many volunteers went to Spain to participate and were memorialized in literature, song and film at the time and since. Volunteers have also supported both sides in Ukraine. If a similar ‘hagiography’ emerges from Ukraine it will probably be first written in Russian, Ukrainian, Korean or Spanish.
The temptation to finish this essay with the next line from the My Fair Lady lyric - “By George, she’s got it!” - is irresistible.
