The Right State

Something is afoot in Russia. For the second time this month Russian bombers have entered Georgian airspace, they have entered or come close to entering British airspace, and Russian submarines have been found near British warships and the British shoreline. During the Cold War this would not have been unusual, but for the democratically elected government of Russia, it stands as either an aberration or a change in the direction of the country. I, for one, think the country is entering a new dangerous era of continual confrontations with the West led by the former KGB leader, Vladimir Putin. This sounds suspiciously like the encounters between the West and the USSR during the Cold War. If that is the case as some analysts are pointing out, this may indicate a new Cold War era in which we are entering. By entering into Georgian, Vladimir Putin may be trying to reassert Russian hegemony on the former Soviet countries. By invading British airspace, the Russian President may be sending a message: “Stay out!” As the country gains more money from its oil exports, I expect Russia to become even more beligerant, throwing their weight around more and more. Without the fsu republics, especially Ukraine, Russia is only a regional power, but with them they become an empire. There can be only one response to Putin, extending NATO invitations to these former Soviet republics including Georgia and Ukraine. This should curb Putin’s aggressiveness towards these fsu nations. It will also limit the country’s ability to become a threat to the US again.  This action should be taken now!

Tags: Foreign Relations //