For the past few months, the world has been paying a lot more attention to the war in Iran than the war in Ukraine.
But the two conflicts have something in common. They both involve nuclear-armed military superpowers that have found themselves unexpectedly stymied by much smaller countries. That’s a new reality of warfare. Today I’m writing about why Vladimir Putin is feeling newly under pressure, why Volodymyr Zelensky is feeling emboldened — and why big powers with the urge to launch a war of choice might want to think twice.
Something has shifted in the war in Ukraine
In the days leading up to last weekend’s annual Victory Day parade commemorating the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany, Russian authorities panicked. There was speculation that Ukraine could target Red Square with drones. The parade was dialed back. Security was ramped up.
Shortly before the event, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine issued a tongue-in-cheek statement “permitting” the parade to go ahead and pledging not to attack. The Kremlin tersely replied that it didn’t need anyone’s permission.
