Déjà Vu All Over Again

 The Crimean War of 1853–56 was fought, in part, to contain Russian territorial expansion. The main combatants were the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Sardinia-Piedmont, all aligned in support of the Ottoman Empire against Russia. Fast-forward from 2014 to the present, and Europe is again confronting a war driven by Russian aggression—this time against Ukraine. At its core, the conflict reflects Russia’s desire to reassert imperial influence and revive elements of the former Soviet sphere, along with the ambitions of Vladimir Putin.

 

Human history has often followed a brutal pattern: dominate your neighbor and take what he has. Russia is already the largest country in the world, spanning eleven time zones, yet its leadership has repeatedly shown that size alone does not satisfy imperial ambition.

 

European history is filled with territorial ambition, recurring wars, and moments when nations failed to aid neighbors threatened by aggression. The former Austro-Hungarian Empire emerged partly as a collection of peoples seeking security in a turbulent region. Several Central and Balkan European lands looked to larger powers for protection from the Ottoman Empire, which for centuries sought to expand its reach into Europe. The lesson is familiar: when expansionist powers are not checked, instability spreads far beyond the original battlefield.

 

History has repeatedly shown that European nations can be reluctant to intervene in distant or emerging conflicts until the danger is unmistakable. A striking example is the Byzantine Empire, which was gradually consumed by Ottoman expansion, culminating in the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. Appeals for help from the Byzantines to their fellow Christians in Europe largely went unanswered. European leaders failed to recognize the broader threat: the Ottoman ambition to push deeper into Europe and extend its power across the continent.

 

A similar condition exists today. Although Europe has supported Ukraine with funding, weapons, and political backing, many European governments remain reluctant to become more deeply involved. Yet the danger is clear: if Russia succeeds in conquering Ukraine, the threat will not end there. It would leave other European nations exposed as potential targets of Russian aggression.  The Spanish philosopher, George Santayana stated the famous saying:  Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.  We are here again.  Déjà vu.