An Update about Russia and Ukraine

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, Ukrainians have been forced to adapt to being continually exposed to devastation and unthinkable hardships. Even though this conflict is located across the globe, their war has created shockwaves throughout the world. For college students, this conflict can feel far away, yet it can also bring forward a plethora of questions. Questions like, what if Russia invades a country that is a part of NATO? Would the United States enforce the draft? Could I be drafted? What does this mean for the U.S. economy? Many more questions could be asked, but in an attempt to ease some unknowns, a few Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) professors have come forward to try and answer some of these heavy questions.

“The chances of the U.S. enforcing a draft in the near future is very small. Certainly, in the face of a crisis, it is reasonable to require citizens to contribute to the common defense, and in the face of an existential threat the U.S. may well turn to conscription again someday,” Dr. Ashbach, assistant professor of Political Science, said. This can bring a kind of comfort to students, as well as encourage them to be aware of what is happening in the world.

“I don’t think the risk of the draft being reinstituted is a big one, but beyond that, I’d say, bluntly: Become dangerous and be ready to die. The risks to which military-aged men are exposed by the draft are those of combat and death. We can prepare ourselves for both. Frankly, as Christians, we are always supposed to be ready to die should circumstances so demand. Life is not our greatest treasure. Living and dying with honor in submission to Christ our king is,” Dr. Ashbach said. It is hard not to believe one is invincible when they are young, but it is interesting how a crisis can make someone analyze their mortality. Ukrainians are being forced to leave behind their homes, families and lives they once knew. For U.S. students, they are currently being posed with a theoretical ‘what if’ situation. With all these potential consequences in mind, there are some concrete consequences that Americans will experience due to this crisis abroad.

“[The] U.S. dollar will appreciate as currency traders around the world want to sell Russian rubles and purchase more stable hard currencies such as the euro, the USD, and the British pound. The value of the ruble has already dropped. This will make it harder for Russia to purchase imported goods and harder for the U.S. to sell exports to the rest of the world,” Dr. Walker, Ernest C. and Ruby Wheeler Professor of Business and Professor of Economics said. All of this is interesting to learn about, but how does this affect college students?

“I read last week that the price of a barrel of oil on the world market is expected to go above $100. It has been many years since it has been that high. This will have a dramatic effect on the cost of a gallon of gasoline,” Dr. Rudebock, Robert L. and Sara Lou Cargill Chair of Business

and professor of Business said. This will directly impact students, as many of them drive to get to school, work or other obligations.

“Pray, pray, pray. If you want to donate money, be sure that you find a legitimate charity. There will be many scams [that will] pop up... It seems to be a very fluid situation so if you are interested in it, you will really need to keep an eye on various news sources” Rudebock said. This conflict is still ongoing and changing constantly. Be encouraged to pray for those who are being affected by this crisis and to stay informed about the world around us all.