For 50 years, the United States was embroiled in the Cold War, a national effort to hold the powerful Soviet Union in check without actually entering into armed conflict. Now, with tensions once again rising in the east, we find ourselves in a second Cold War, a National effort to hold the powerful Russia in check. And whether there will be armed conflict between the Brooklyn band and Vladimir Putin’s increasingly imperialistic government remains to be seen.
The National has canceled tour dates in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev in response to Russia’s apparent attempts to annex Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. “We remain hopeful of coming to play for you in the future and we sincerely hope this current instability resolves in a positive, democratic and peaceful way,” announced the band. Let’s hope Putin liked Boxer enough to refrain from retaliation.