Hacker News Reader

Comment by andsoitis | Hacker News Reader

> When was the last time a US soldier was called to arms to defend their own country?

The right way to think about defending one's country is that it means "defends the interests of the country", which can include helping allies, keeping trade routes stable, etc.

Good read: https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/the-importance-of-u-s-mil...

View on HN

There is no clear limit to that expanded definition though.

Yeah, may as well do away with the concepts of offence and defence and just call it fighting.

Would you also say that the Russian army is defending the country by invading Ukraine?

Good question. I think that if Russia stationed troops in strategic places (with those countries’ permission) and/or retaliated in response to an actual attack on their country, then yes.

However, as far as I know, neither of those happened and the rationale I’ve heard reported is a mix of “that Land is really Russian land and Ukrainians are not a historically separate nation” or something like that.

I think what is truly immoral is the cynical and barbaric targeting of civilians, seemingly systematically and not isolated incidents.

My impression is that Russia isn’t doing this for defense reasons but rather for glory of the leader.

What do you think?

You might have narrowed your own definition of "defend" before answering.

Sure, if you are into the whole imperialism thing.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com