Cowbee. I appreciate some of your takes on Marxism, but disagree frequently with your frame of reference on state power in the global field.
I view the war with Ukraine as one of Russo imperialism in response to Western imperialism. Indeed the USSR itself had many imperialist tendencies under a unified Asiatic / Slavic Soviet even as did Western and Asian counterparts post WW2
The irony being I am more allied to Trotsky or Luxemburg’s take. Which no doubt wouldn’t receive fair purchase in ML group. Forgive me for not directly referencing War and International - as it meanders but hits many themes relevant to Russia/Ukraine conflict
That being said to summarize my view: wars of conquest as a tool for furthering state capital / geopolitical interests shouldn’t be supported by Marxists, and posting the rationalization of an autocrat reads as support to me.
Cowbee, I disagree almost entirely with what you posted. But with respect for you clearly articulating your position I will share my response.
To your “But Russia is not imperialist” , please reflect on the following and to what extent you must stretch a rationalization:
First and Second Chechen Wars (1994, 2000) Puppet Leader in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko (1996) Puppet leader in Ukraine Victor Yanukovych (2010) Georgian War (2008) Annexation of Crimea (2014) Role in Syria conflict (2000 onwards) Role in African dictatorships in Burma Faso and Niger (2010s- present)
… global south / US bad too / old Soviet vassal states must kneel ect… I get it. But the above conflicts are evidence of state capitalism exerting itself militarily for geopolitical and economic aims
I doubt this will influence you much as you are pretty invested in your world view. But from my vantage point and reading of theory (likely some overlap if you are ML) - you are wrong *respectfully