A Lesson for the Chinese: Never Trust the Russians

The Kyiv Independent reported on Chinese nationals who fought for Russia against Ukraine – and were subsequently captured. According to them, they had voluntarily enlisted in the Russian army.

One of them explained that a recruiter had told him that a Chinese person joining the Russian military could earn 200,000–250,000 Russian rubles per month (about €2,100–2,600), which is more than the average wage in China. The recruiter also promised to pay for his travel to Russia and help him obtain the necessary documents.

The Chinese man didn’t know any Russians personally, so he believed the promises. Instead of receiving the promised income, however, the Russians confiscated his bank card and phone, leaving him unable to access his earnings. He also reported that he had been targeted by Russian “chemical weapons” right after being captured by Ukrainian soldiers.

In the end, it was the Ukrainians who saved his life and have treated both captured men well ever since. As a result, they sent a message to their fellow countrymen, saying that everything they had heard from the Russians was a lie. It turned out that Russia wasn’t as strong, and Ukraine wasn’t as weak as they had been told. Therefore, it’s better not to take part in any wars at all.

Hopefully, Chinese citizens will take the message from these prisoners seriously and avoid being lured into Putin’s army by Russia’s empty promises. At best, one might come out of it alive — but even that is unlikely.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Number of Predators is Increasing in Russia
Massive Blow to Russian Artillery: Ukraine Claims 1,644 Pieces Destroyed in March
Russian Fake News vs. Reality

Uncertain Horizons: Syria's Post-Assad Era

Israel destroyed the Syrian army’s equipment in swift strikes following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, as the previously Islamist-designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assumed power.

In practical terms, this means that the armaments of the Syrian dictatorship, including chemical weapons of mass destruction, will not fall into the hands of a new government, which may turn out to be an Islamist rogue state.

In this light, one might imagine that the entire world would be pleased with Israel’s actions. On the other hand, Israel’s operations contradict general principles of justice, which dictate that the law should apply equally to all. The same should hold true at the state level, meaning that Israel’s actions appear as nothing more than the unlawful use of force by the stronger party.

It is therefore clear that opponents of the Jewish state have gained yet another justification for their hatred toward it—and even a seemingly legitimate basis for actions against it in international forums such as the UN.

It is thus to be expected that the value-liberal left in Western countries will exploit this development to support Hamas terrorists in their fight in Gaza. At the same time, they will conveniently forget that the entire Gaza war began with Hamas’s terrorist attack and has only continued because the group has refused to disarm or release the hostages it took in October of last year.

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When power shifted in Syria, Israel also occupied the demilitarized zone between it and Syria. Furthermore, it has advanced somewhat into the part of Syria inhabited by Druze communities.

The world was simultaneously surprised by the fact that, following these events, the Syrian Druze neither fled nor mounted resistance but instead declared their desire to become part of Israel. This indicates that this religious minority does not trust its future under the rule of Syria's new leaders.

This development is unlikely to sit well with Syria's new government. Should Israel fulfill the Druze community's wish, it could lay the groundwork for HTS to become a more fundamentalist organization—ultimately transforming into a rogue state similar to Iran or Afghanistan.

At this stage, however, it is virtually impossible to predict what will ultimately happen in Syria. Some have even suggested dividing the country into three parts, with HTS governing the central region, the Kurds holding power in the northeast, and either Israel or the Druze themselves controlling the southwestern corner.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Need for Asylum Among Syrians Disappeared with the Regime Change
On the Consequences of Russian Inability in Syria
Revolution in Syria: What Comes Next?