Macron Reelection

It was gratifying to see that Emmanuel Macron won a second term as president of France.  

The vote was not particularly close, until one considers who his opponent was.  The fact that a far-right anti-immigrant, anti-minority candidate such as Marine Le Pen garnered over 40% of the vote is as terrifying as the sway Donald Trump holds over the American right wing.

Macron's speech included a note of conciliation toward those who have been disaffected during his first term of office - and the realization that his shortcomings are directly related to the attraction of somebody like Le Pen.  French people who feel left behind by economic changes, and ignored by politicians who focus more on urban and suburban interests are a powder keg.  Another series of 'yellow vest' demonstrations could be enough to tip the balance to dangerous populists, who might spell the devolution of the European Union and NATO into fractious individual countries, vulnerable to manipulation by tyrants like Vladimir Putin.  

So I celebrate his victory, but more so, the lessons to which he offers promises.  It is critical that he finds a way to make those promises a reality.  

Slow Strangulation of Putin Regime

I commend the approach our nation, along with our allies in Europe and elsewhere, have taken in response to Putin's brutal, criminal, invasion of Ukraine.  

As viscerally satisfying as direct military retaliation would have been, such rash action would have led to escalation - perhaps even including the use of nuclear weapons.  Once things escalate, it becomes easier for each side to point to the other, with tangible evidence that the other is the aggressor - obfuscating the historical record.  

The more measured, more effective, approach the world has taken has already begun to devastate the Russian economy.  While Russians can't speak out publicly, this damage will serve to delegitimize the Putin regime, and may eventually even topple it.  

It is important, even after Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine (or at least whatever part of Ukraine negotiations call for them to evacuate), sanctions must not be lifted immediately.  Aside from the cruel human toll, this unprovoked aggression has caused a great deal of damage to private and public property, utilities, and other infrastructure throughout Ukraine.  That nation must be restored to it's pre-invasion state before sanctions are lifted.  The costs of repairs to these must be borne by Putin and his supporters.  

Additionally, those who commanded and/or oversaw the well-documented campaign of atrocities must be brought to justice.  An international warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin must be issued.  Though he is unlikely to turn himself in, he will become a prisoner of the nation he rules - his most inner circle of victims.