I’m no historian and not even a paid counsel would describe me as one, but I have a pretty good memory. Russia suffered disproportionately during the Second World War and her troops suffered severe losses in taking Berlin. In 1955 I recall hearing that they vacated Austria on condition that that state became neutral. I don’t recall hearing of Russian troops moving west of the lines they occupied in 1945. And, since 1989 they have pulled out of all countries occupied by their troops since 1945 . Michael Portillo has recently told us that the “visionary” Winston Churchill intended to attack the already devastated Soviet Union, with German help, after the demise of Hitler. Britain had already in 1944 troops in Greece propping up a Government whose members had been collaborating with the Nazis, against Greeks who had been resisting them. Attlee maintained troops there in the same role until 1947, according to Wikipedia, until the British Exchequer could no longer afford their upkeep. My recent blog – “AIRSTRIP TWO?” explained Attlee’s bogus 1949 Government of Ireland Act at the same time as his co-founding of NATO. I understand that Attlee and a few Ministers, without consulting Cabinet, much less Parliament, decided that Britain should have the Atom Bomb. Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin wanted it “WITH A BLOODY GREAT UNION JACK ON IT”
Today’s Foreign Secretary, Uncle Sam’s Poodle, is bating the Russian Bear, and in Ireland latter day Redmondites want to be fleas on that poodle’s hide. The United Nations in which Ireland has played an honourable part and Frank Aiken a distinguished one is apparently to be brushed aside while NATO plays games which could destroy life on this planet
Alas Donal too many folk in the west think they know why the Soviet Union is/are the ‘bad guys’. These same people think that the US/UK beat the Nazis and that Russia was a bit part player. Talk about a heightened sense of importance. Deluded idiots are to be pitied.