McCain: "In The 21st Century Nations Don't Invade Other Nations." My Thoughts on the Russia/Georgia crisis
Update and Breaking news: According to Norway, Russia has suspended all cooperation with NATO. On Poland and Missile Defense, the Russian foreign ministry has said that the response will "go beyond diplomacy". Russia is also planning on recognizing both breakaway provinces of Georgia. It is clear the escalation of this conflict is benefiting neither side.
Unbelievable statements given the war in Iraq from Bush and McCain. I do not support the Russian actions in Georgia and am alarmed by the current status of the relationship between Russia and the West right now. Unfortunately the situation in Iraq makes it impossible for Bush or McCain to take any kind of moral or political high road in this conflict.
We do not need another cold war. Russia's actions are disproportionate and they need to accept the terms of the ceasefire that were agreed to with Sarkozy for the sake of stability in Europe and reducing tension with the West. NATO countries need to be careful in terms of relations with Russia and avoid escalating this conflict to the point that Russia refuses to cooperate on other issues such as Iran, Sudan, Kosovo, nuclear weapons, energy or other mutual interests within the UN Security Council. Russia must accept their responsibilities as a major power and member of the G8. At the same time we must respect Russia as a major power and take their views seriously on world affairs. The collapse of the Soviet Union was seen as a humiliation and tragedy to Putin and ordinary Russians. The rapid growth of the Russian economy due to high oil prices and other resources have restored Russian pride and that is what drives Putin's popularity and power within his nation. The question now is how can we maintain that Russian pride, increasing economic growth and role on the world stage while at the same time encouraging Russia to embrace freedom, democracy and human rights? It is important that Russia see the benefits of cooperating with the West, NATO and EU? Georgia and the Ukraine have fully embraced democracy and freedom and that choice needs to be respected. Hopefully one day Russia and China will embrace the same path. In the meantime we are probably better served using the carrot instead of the stick when dealing with Russia.
Internally through Georgian politics, President Mikheil Saakashvili should be held accountable for initiating this conflict at a great cost to his country. The economy, military and infrastructure have taken a massive hit and it is quite possible that he will never recover the disputed provinces at the root of this conflict. Clearly his actions were a surprise to the Europeans and Americans as no one saw this coming. Finally he may have hurt Georgia's chances to join NATO in the near term as several alliance members are going to be timid about defending Georgia or Ukraine militarily against any potential military threats from Moscow. Several NATO members have chosen not to play a supportive role in the Afghanistan mission. If NATO cannot step up in Afghanistan by providing sufficient troops, how can anyone expect it to stand up to Russia? This confrontation with Russia is going to have to be solved through complex diplomacy.
Pakistan, China and Russia are the biggest threats to the West right now. Unfortunately America had its eye off the ball in Iraq. Russia is taking advantage of what it sees as American troops being stretched to thin combined with Bush's lame duck status and a lack of will on the part of the Europeans to get tough with Russia because of their reliance on oil. I do not envy the next president of the United States who is going to have a laundry list of tough international and economical challenges to face starting from day one in his first term.
Russia has promised that by Friday all troops will be out of Georgian territory. So far they have failed to keep their word on previous commitments. Unfortunately we have little leverage, determination or military ability to do much beyond watching this crisis unfold in Georgia. Hopefully this time the Russians will keep their word and allow its relationship with the West to improve. No one wants to return to the cold war. At the same time no one should accept a return to the Soviet mentality or a reversal of democratic gains made in Eastern Europe. -Darryl
