Economist Timur Kuran has an excellent ideaFind out how America and its European Allies can assist Ukraine in resisting Russia without causing any damage to themselves.
It is not fair to assume Russian soldiers or officers enjoy what they are doing. Some—we can’t know many, because preference falsification is inherently invisible—must be willing to break ranks, if only they have options. NATO and EU countries should offer asylum for Russian military defectors.
Kuran is the author Private Lies, Public Truths: Social Effects of Preference FraudificationHe is the leading authority on preference falsification, the phenomenon in which people are influenced to falsely represent their true beliefs. It is possible to conclude that many Russian soldiers wouldn’t want to fight the Ukrainians. Jason Lyall is a political scientist and expert on military morale.
Russia’s problems: Why? While analysts have mostly focused on hardware and doctrine, many of Russia’s problems can be traced to a single source: low morale….
The evidence is mounting to show that Russian soldiers don’t want to fight.
Videos of hungry and lost soldiers looting and begging for food are littering social media. Some soldiers captured have spoken out. confusionThey were uncertain about the purpose of war and surrendered when they realized they weren’t on training exercises. Many armored vehicles were captured or abandoned by Ukrainian forces, and in one instance, by locals. farmer.
Russian equipment has suffered many losses due to abandonment, capture, and destruction. Numerous Russian equipment has been lost. videosTikTok lists dozens of lines of military equipment that has been left behind. Russian military authorities threatened with physical abuse and worse to force discipline within some units.
Lyall’s article continues to discuss how morale issues can hinder the effectiveness of Russia’s military.
An adjustment in incentives could increase the likelihood that Russian soldiers will give up. Instead of surrendering to Russia, which would likely mean their eventual repatriation (where they might face punishment and disgrace), it could lead to a much greater life in freedom and prosperity in Western countries. Russian commanders may be worried that subordinates will defect to them, which can further reduce their morale.
US allies and NATO members should adopt Kuran’s proposal. The offer of asylum should be made public using all possible communication methods, including social media and flyers distributed by Ukrainian forces. It is important that every Russian soldier knows that surrender will lead to a better future in the West.
Yes, there is always the risk that a Russian who surrenders and clams asylum might turn out to be some sort of spy or saboteur planted by the Kremlin. But people give access to classified information or jobs requiring security clearances, must undergo extensive screening, whether they are immigrants or not. Vladimir Putin may want to bring in spies and saboteurs into America, whose jobs it is to locate openly accessible information or open target facilities for the public. However, he does have other options.
You can find many ways that the US and its allies could use refugee and immigration policy to fight Putin, and help ease the pain caused by Russia’s war on aggression. These will soon be the subject of a detailed article. These articles are by Robert Zubrin. National ReviewPlease see the following: Reason’sFiona Harrigan, here and here