But as much as anything, perhaps, it is because of the way this war has been cast by its Kremlin authors: as a test of Russian manhood, if not of the nation's very existence.
There could be no mistaking that this war had no precedent, because, this time, the real world had shown up on their doorstep.
Indeed, September 11th may have a more lasting impact on Britain's domestic politics than on its foreign relations.If for no other reason, this is because the war has reinforced the worries of those who say that all is not well with Britain's democracy.
"It is also about providing services, especially to the most disadvantaged, and especially in a context like this, of conflict, where people are displaced, they don't have anything because the war has worsened their poverty.
In some cases, that's not possible because the war has torn apart a village, documentation is not available.
In Angola, he added, "you can't simply hit a switch and say everything is normal just because the war has ended and the country has oil".
But in "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" it is clear that Seymour kills himself because the war has made him crazy.
And because the war has dramatically enlarged the sense of vulnerability on every front, it is time to make a serious bid for peace.
It's the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe, not just because the war has destroyed the economy, but also because the blockade has destroyed the economy.
