The 2014 downing of MH17 as a “prism” refracting deeper structural shifts: the 2008 financial crisis, NATO expansion, & the West’s “global gamble” to contain a resurgent Russia & the BRICS bloc. Ukraine’s fracturing along historic fault lines, the Maidan revolt as “US-supported regime change,” & the civil war in Donbas. The official investigation, compromised by “veto power” granted to Kyiv & “the reluctance of US intelligence to provide evidence.” “The fate of the 298 people on Flight MH17 may become that of humanity at large.”