Posted by
reasonmclucus on Monday, August 18, 2008 3:42:31 PM
Russia's overreaction to the Georgian attack on
South
Ossetia demonstrates Russia is a potential aggressor
and NATO is needed to prevent it from
attempting to expand by force.
In my previous post I indicated that Georgia's attack was ill advised
and unjustified. Georgia's argument that it has an historical
claim on
Abkhazia
and South Ossetia ignores the fact that Russia can make the same
type claim about Georgia. Russia's claim on Georgia might
be
even stronger because Georgian Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet
Union for many years.
Russia could have justified intervening to force Georgian troops out
of South Ossetia by citing the U.S. action against Iraq after
Iraq invaded Kuwait. However, Russia went beyond that and
invaded Georgia like it planned to stay. Russia also made the
mistake of allowing some armed thugs to use violence against Georgians
and their property.
Russia's invasion of Georgia indicates it may be planning to
invade Ukraine. NATO should grant membership to Ukraine now
to prevent such an invasion. Ukraine has a strong army that
wouldn't need much back up from NATO. European nations should
take initial steps to expand their military forces with indications
that they will not follow through if Russia withdraws from
Georgia.
European leaders should consider the success of President John F.
Kennedy's strong response to the Soviet Union's efforts to
place missiles in Cuba. The U.S. should do what President Ronald
Reagan did in the early 80's and increase spending on missile defense
technology. A potential danger with a strong response is that it
could bring down the current Russia government.
European nations need to do whatever they can to prevent having to
obtain fuel from Russia. Such actions should include expanding
solar and wind energy along with nuclear and clean coal
technology. Coal plants should include algae reactors to produce
oil for fuel use. European nations should work to develop the
technology to convert plastic, paper, etc. wastes into fuel.