And a ton of other thoughts that make this post messy, but WTH.

“Daddy, will the evil King come and kill us?” A quote from a friend’s niece in Poland after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

After a historically peaceful 25-year period, Poland is back in the hot seat; unfortunately, that’s where it’s spent much of its existence.

Poland was a superpower in 17th-century Europe, and at the height of power, it included Poland proper, Latvia, Lithuania, Rus, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Estonia. But like most Slavic nations, it became hardened and determined to protect its borders and way of life because of historical events like the Mongol and Turkic invasions. This ruthless enslavement of Slavic people by the Nogai Khanate and Mongols included an estimated 1.2 million people over four centuries. These enslaved people were dispersed throughout Asia, Arabia, North Africa, and anywhere else that would pay the price. It’s referred to as “harvesting of the steppe.” The Steppe is Eurasian Grasslands that stretch from East Asia to Europe. (Note that people of all races and religions were enslaved and funneled through the Crimean Peninsula, and no one knows the number of lives ruthlessly destroyed. Even the Vikings and Italians were banking on the slave auctions.)  

Because of this history, the Poles became very formidable in the 16th century. First, Poland expanded and tested its borders and had its “Golden Age”; later, it was itself tested by those very neighbors. Even Sweden invaded Poland in the 17th century. After many conflicts, Poland was a shadow of itself, and the spoils of war left its territory divided by Russia, Austria, and Prussia. WWI and WW2 continued their painful history with occupation and death. It wasn’t until recently that Poland came into what was supposed to be a safe place. A European Union state and member of NATO. But the fears have returned.  

Russia is fanning the winds of war, and the people of Poland fear they might be next on the chopping block. Though the EU is showing great solidarity, Poland shares a border with Belarus, a known supporter of the Kremlin, so we know that a red carpet would be laid down to the Russians for transit to Warsaw. But there’s one wild card, The United States of America and its 10 million citizens of Polish ancestry. The noise would be deafening, and Congress would act according to the people’s will. I’m not sure of the magnitude of it, but the EU should take solace in this fact. And, as Russia resurrects this good old fashion land grab, it may want to reconsider focusing an eye on Poland.

Lastly, why isn’t there more Slavic solidarity with the common thread of Slavic slavery? It seems somewhat of a cruel twist of fate that Russia, the country that brought the Slavic enslaving Khans to their knees, is now threatening, and killing, other Slavic nations. That being said, I can’t help but wonder if Ukraine’s declaration that Tatars were indigenous to Crimea and Ukraine played into the hands of the Russian State, and presented them with an additional excuse for mobilization. After all, the Tatar people are now a mixed race of East Asian Turks and enslaved people; does that make them indigenous? I know it does not justify this bloodshed; I’m just asking, folks!