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Has the west abandoned the world's 'good guy' role?

A waning of support for Ukraine and a reluctance to call for a ceasefire in Gaza - is the west culpable of moral cowardice?

It is now two years since Russian tanks crossed the border into Ukraine and life for millions of Ukrainians changed forever.
Many had to flee their homes and neighbourhoods. Many others had to flee their beloved homeland to avoid death, injury, destruction.
The full-scale Russian invasion of a sovereign European country shocked the world- it was the most significant act of aggression in Europe since the Second World War.
Ukraine's neighbours stood in solidarity- from Ireland to Moldova- citizens stepped up- they took Ukrainians into their homes and hearts, governments gave weapons, artillery, planes. They trained Ukrainian soldiers. The United States did similar. Billions of euro and dollars given to help defend Ukraine, and the wider Western world, from Vladimir Putin.
But over the past six months or so, that help, particularly from the United States has started to wane. The Republican party says it no longer wants to send aid to Ukraine at this pivotal time in the war- we are told that Ukraine is being out manoeuvred by 7 to 1 by the Russians on the battlefield right now.
Meanwhile in the Middle East, there is still no agreement among Western powers on calling for a permanent ceasefire in Israel's war in Gaza. A war which has killed around 30,000 people since Hamas invaded Southern Israel last October.
So the question we are asking this morning is - has the international community lost its moral compass?
Presenter Audrey Carville in conversation with Jane Kinninmont, from the European Leadership Network. She is an expert in the politics of the Middle East, former Irish Ambassador to the EU and UK Bobby McDonagh and Dr Julie Norman- Associate Professor in politics and international relations at University College London.

1 hour, 22 minutes

Last on

Sun 25 Feb 2024 08:30

Broadcast

  • Sun 25 Feb 2024 08:30