Focus. We need to focus in order to “stay the course”. Without focus, there is no “course”.

Why are we here? What is the problem?

A while back, when Russia first invaded Ukraine, I posted a map as part of the six-step problem solving process I learned in the Air Force, and in which I still believe. In that post, I claimed we were on Step 2 “Gather the Data”. (Step 1 being “Recognize the Problem”.)

The problem, I said, was unclarity.

In gathering the data, clarity has begun to emerge.

(I love this.)

This is going to hurt some of you, so be ready. But it’s important to be able to speak simply.

Despite that map, Ukraine is not a country.

Ukraine is not a country. As for evidence, Look around. Their not being in NATO is one, probably the second largest, piece of evidence of this. The largest piece being the fact that no country’s military, including ours, is at war with Russia.

Remember, we’re defining the problem—by definition “defining the problem” is not jumping to conclusions. So calm down. Just because Ukraine is not a country, does not necessarily mean we skip the next five steps and “implement the solution”.

I don’t believe, and you don’t believe, that Ukraine is a country. Fact.

Ukraine is not a country.

So what does this mean? It means that we’re yet again merely providing weapons to the enemy of our enemy. Like we do in the Middle East, like we do everywhere else that isn’t yet civilized.

Kuwait: country. Ukraine, not a country.

New question: Does this mean that it’s not World War 3 anymore? Have I changed my tune?

I have. As the title of this post indicates, I am changing my tune for now.

Here’s why.

Citizens of one country are not able to will another country into existence. We don’t put a border on a map and “ta da”—a country! It just doesn’t happen that way. Ukraine must assert itself, must manifest itself. Think gang initiation or all the scenes in movies where the friend group intentionally leaves a newbie to himself during a fight to prove that he is a man. Is the newbie proving himself to his friends or to himself? Both.

Ukraine, in essence, is the newbie. It has been since the Soviet Union broke up. And Ukraine is not yet a country.

Our actions, our help, are actually keeping Ukraine from becoming a country.

Settle down. I’m not suggesting we stop. Who knows whether Ukraine should become a country or not? Not me. And not you. Only Ukraine does.

So what does this mean for the concept of World War? And how has this focus helped us? What is our course?

World War, meaningfully, can only take place between countries. We were, I was, wrong to suggest this was a conventional war. That confession is the result of my “gathering of data.” As stated, it’s got to be an attack on a NATO member country. Let’s not kid ourselves. You don’t give a rat’s arse about the Ethiopian Civil War, or any tragedies in the other parts of Africa. Me, neither. Same thing here.

War has to be between countries. Either NATO on NATO, or some non-NATO country (almost a paradox—almost) on a NATO country.

The political question, then, is, “Does our support of Russia’s enemies increase Russia’s desire to attack a country?” The answer is, “Time will tell.”

What’s our course? Our course is no different than my course. The course is life. Abundant life. America lives on. If we begin taking actions that put America’s sovereignty in question, that’s a problem.

Does helping our enemy’s enemy put America in danger? I have to believe it does at some point. But if there’s anything we also now know, it’s that our enemy, Russia, is not as strong as some supposed.

How about us? Are we strong?

I believe so. And I believe we can be even stronger if we increase our focus.