America’s Answer to Russia
August 15th, 2008 at 03:01am Mark Noonan
Exactly the sort of thing needed to inject a note of reality into Russian deliberations:
The United States and Poland reached a long-stalled deal on Thursday to place an American missile defense base on Polish territory, in the strongest reaction so far to Russia’s military operation in Georgia.
Russia reacted angrily, saying that the move would worsen relations with the United States that have already been strained severely in the week since Russian troops entered separatist enclaves in Georgia, a close American ally.
But the deal reflected growing alarm in countries like Poland, once a conquered Soviet client state, about a newly rich and powerful Russia’s intentions in its former cold war sphere of power. In fact, negotiations dragged on for 18 months — but were completed only as old memories and new fears surfaced in recent days.
Those fears were codified to some degree in what Polish and American officials characterized as unusual aspects of the final deal: that at least temporarily American soldiers would staff air defense sites in Poland oriented toward Russia, and that the United States would be obliged to defend Poland in case of an attack with greater speed than required under NATO, of which Poland is a member.
Polish officials said the agreement would strengthen the mutual commitment of the United States to defend Poland, and vice versa. “Poland and the Poles do not want to be in alliances in which assistance comes at some point later — it is no good when assistance comes to dead people,” the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, said on Polish television. “Poland wants to be in alliances where assistance comes in the very first hours of — knock on wood — any possible conflict.”
Next up, the Baltic States - we really need to teach Russia a lesson about which nation is the super power and which nation is the rapidly declining power of the second rank. Putin and his gang seem to labor under the illusion that Russia has the strength to stand on her own in the world - she doesn’t. Russia either gives up her imperial ambitions and agrees to alliance with the United States (after, of course, becoming a full democracy), or Russia will eventually find itself the conscript ally of China. There is only one way Russia retains her Asian territories beyond 2050, and that is in alliance with the United States.
The world changes and things do shift - and one of the shifts has been the eclipse of Europe by the Americas and Asia. Europe has its choices to make, and the wisest choice for all of Europe is to cling tightly to the United States, the bulwark of western (ie, European) civilization. Poland has figured this out, and we pray that Russia will eventually figure it out, too.
Entry Filed under: Foreign Affairs
29 Comments
1. Eric T | August 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
I’m 25% Polish,
If you look at Poland’s History, It has been ripped apart by the National Socialists, then the Communists, and go back a little further in history, and you see that their borders were constantly changing from the results of wars.
I understand why Poland doesn’t want to put its trust into the hands of NATO and the UN peacekeepers. Poland sees that International Bankers, Oil companies, and the EU ain’t going to come save there people, The United States Military is the Only thing that will give them a chance in the event of a Russian attack.
2. Retired Spook | August 15th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Russia reacted angrily, saying that the move would worsen relations with the United States that have already been strained severely in the week since Russian troops entered separatist enclaves in Georgia, a close American ally.
Always good to start out the morning with a laugh.
3. Magnum Serpentine | August 15th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Pax Americana Mark?
The United States does not rule the world. And George Washington is right, we should not get involved in world affairs.
Next.
4. DM | August 15th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Spook - I was thinking the same thing. When we urged them to leave Georgia and agree to a cease fire they pretty much as laughted at us. So back at them. Call and raise.
5. neocon | August 15th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Look everyone, it doesn’t matter what chaos, bloodshed and tyranny is spreading across the globe so long as Magnum, and other mindless liberals, get their free healthcare and can talk about saving the planet from global warming at the next cocktail party.
Got it?
6. DM | August 15th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Magnum, you cannot live in a box. The rest of the world is filled with 3 kinds of people; 1.) Those we can get along with and develop a positive relationship, 2.) Those who are against us and our allies for whatever reason and 3.) Those who would rather not pick sides or ignore what’s going on around them.
Those in group 3 are prime targets for take over or assimilation into group 2 by whatever means those in group 3 decide to do their biddings.
If we ignore the rest of the world it would only be a matter of time before group 3 had a world wide dominance and would be staring at us from all 4 sides. That sure doesn’t seem like a pretty picture. Pretending to hide and just hope (where have I heard that word before) it all goes away is not the answer.
7. Upstart | August 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Usually Bush takes the entire month of August off for vaction. What in the hell is he doing? With six months to go is he so resentful that he wants to restart the cold war as a gift to President Obama? Reagan rolled over yet once more at what the Conservative movement has become.
8. Some Assembly Required | August 15th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Who cares, they think that found BIGFOOT.
9. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Upstart Bush knows the end is near, why even try if he’s handing the baton to Hussein? Even though he is doing more right now than Obama will do in a career.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/08/021248.php
10. CanadianObserver | August 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
9. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Upstart Bush knows the end is near, why even try if he’s handing the baton to Hussein?
————————————
So you have resigned yourself to the fact that it will be Obama, not McCain, who will receive the baton, eh SEW?
11. DM | August 15th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Sorry, that should read… by whatever means those in group 2, decide to do their biddings.
and
…only be a matter of time before group 2 had a world wide dominance…
12. Eric T | August 15th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Upstart-
You said-”With six months to go is he so resentful that he wants to restart the cold war as a gift to President Obama?”
I think that isn’t close to what is going on, maybe Georgia did start the conflict? We really don’t know. Russia has had problems with terrorists before, they had millions of their people massacred by the National Socialists, and they got the right to defend themselves as well.
I think Bush is just trying to keep peace, the recent demonstration of Russia’s massive military strength may have reminded Poland about their history, and just how fast things can fly out of hand, how useless the UN can be in these kind of situations, ect…
I dont think this has ANYTHING to do with Obama at all, it was Russia, Georgia, could be anything? maybe that BP pipeline??
Obama was talking about raising the recruit levels for the military, he will have to deal with this kinda stuff if he wins. If he wins, we may get dragged into another war, and him and the dems might no longer be able to be the party of “cut and run.”
13. Now What? | August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I do not see Russia acting any different from how the US acted with Iraq.
The biggest difference is that our border wasn’t in danger. If Mexico or Canada did this, would we act any different?
I do believe that there are people in Georgia that would like to succeed. Are their lives not worthy of Russia wanting to leave.
I am sure the same aurgements made for US invading Iraq could be used by Russia.
14. Retired Spook | August 15th, 2008 at 10:43 am
If he wins, we may get dragged into another war, and him and the dems might no longer be able to be the party of “cut and run.”
Eric, I think you grossly underestimate the cowardice of Liberals.
I do not see Russia acting any different from how the US acted with Iraq.
Then you need to have your eyes checked.
My favorite retire Army spook, Ralph Peters had two excellent pieces in the New York Post in the last few days that laid out in a precise, no nonsense just how this conflict evolved: here and here.
15. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Actually, Co, I’m making fun of the dimwit and anyone that supports his insanity. How is Canada doing in the Olympics.
16. Retired Spook | August 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
SEW, Interesting article.
17. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Stated in the article “Canada’s 2008 Olympic team is a national disgrace.” I actually think the team is quite representative of Canada and her trolls that post here.
18. majoriot | August 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Oh, the Absurdity.
Is there good Imperialism and bad Imperialism?
No. there is just Imperialism. Which is bad.
I saw that McCain said “In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations.
Well, I’m no Rhodes scolar, but it seems to me that yes, nations do invade nations int he 21st century. See “Uniteds States invades Iraq”.
Some people get there years mixed. some the number of states. In McCain, we have a gentleman who can’t get his centuries straight.
Or wait, maybe it’s the term “invasion” he doesn’t know.
Either way, bit of a dimwit.
More like Bush every day.
19. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
So what is a Rhodes scolar?
20. Retired Spook | August 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Well, I’m no Rhodes scolar
Don’t worry, nobody took you for one.
21. Now What? | August 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Where it is Rhodes Scholar or Rhodes Scolar…the point was make and you address spelling or his/her comment.
22. Nevada Pundit | August 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
How can you say that Georgia in any way invaded Russia, they didn’t. South Ossetia is not Russia, it is part of Georgia. The only invading that went on is Russian invading Georgia. What right did they have? None.
This is simply Russia trying to bully and exert its power over neighboring democracies that happened to at one time be under Russian control and they want that control back. Russia has backed itself into a corner economically. The have a massive income now due to oil but no one believes that will last forever. They have scared away many foreign investors with corrupt government agencies and judges and they have very little in the way of a manufacturing base as a result. The only option Russia has for ongoing influence long term is by exerting its power by any means now.
23. SEW | August 15th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
21. Now What? | August 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Where it is Rhodes Scholar or Rhodes Scolar…the point was make and you address spelling or his/her comment.
I thought the point was your conclusion of dimwit. You were successful, scolar.
24. Retired Spook | August 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Now What?
What a great screen name — kinda says it all, as in, I’ve shown what a complete and total dipstick I am — now what? Might I suggest that you jump in front of a bus and end the misery.
25. Eric T | August 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26203430
I think the missle shield should not be seen as trying to intimidate Russia, It could be used in defense of Iranian warheads flung into Europe, or any other power that may emerge.
26. Spike | August 15th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Deleted - paranoid ravings.
27. majoriot | August 16th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Or is that Roads scholar? You know, a highway man…
You guys are too easy.
No discussion of content, just “oh, oh, look, he didn’t spell scholar right!. Did you see!”
Oh, and no one takes you for an actual spook, either.
28. Danish Artist | August 16th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Most importantly, McCain got it right with his first response to this issue. Barak Hussein Obama fumbled the first few days “REFINING” his position that completely change from one statement to the next.
29. Pom Pom Girl | August 27th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
“NUKE” RUSSIA
There are many soft ways to punish Russia for its exploits in Georgia, from removing them from the G8, reducing the requirements for NATO entry as well as installing missile defense systems in countries near them. However, if you really want to hurt Russia and not directly threaten them you need to lower the cost of their number one economic export, OIL.
Congress should immediately approve the US coastline for drilling and approve the building of 45 new nuclear power plants in the next 20 years. The impact on speculators looking at the supply demand curve for oil will be dramatic. With a resulting drying up of funds for both Russia and several of our enemies, as well as these two power sources generating long term federal tax dollars for the U.S. this is a win, win, win for America.