FOR those of us who grew up in one of the NATO countries during the Cold War, the 40-year period between 1950 and 1990, the war in Ukraine is more frightening than most of us would probably admit because it brings back memories we'd rather not have. People here in the Philippines, even or perhaps especially those armchair strategists who presume to pass judgments on the causes and validity of other countries' motives, do not and will not ever understand the war in Europe at present the same way.

And that's OK; I can't speak for anyone else, but I would happily trade this feeling of déjà vu and helpless dread for blissful ignorance.