This question, "who is NATO?" is going to become intensely important now that Russia has abandoned the pretenses of peaceful coexistence. The war in Georgia is not about the right of self determination of the Ossetians, rather it is about the right of Georgians to determine their own fate. Anyone who has looked at a map knows the truth of South Ossetia. It is not a Ossetian homeland, it is a bridgehead. The region sits at the bottom of a mountain pass. With Russia in control of it they control the pass and can aim their oversize army down Georgia's throat. As this week proves, it is all to easy for them to pull the trigger.
I can't fault the Georgians for trying to seize the area. The one and only hope after NATO's betrayal was to take the pass. They didn't stand a chance, even David had a sling when he fought Goliath, Georgia didn't have any edge at all. But at least the Georgians didn't roll over and take Europe's betrayal like the Czechs did. They fought for their freedom no matter the odds. Sure Georgia may go on as a nominally sovereign state, but the truth is it will more than likely be under Russian suzerainty. This is exactly what Russia wanted when the backed the separatist. This war is no accident, it was planned from Moscow.
Anyone who has been watching Russia since Putin assumed the thrown has seen this coming. This is simply the latest act of Russian aggression and manipulation. In the past couple of years flush with petro-dollars and under the strong arm leadership of Czar Putin I, Russia has been aggressively re-asserting itself. From menacing the Baltics, to murdering rivals in London there seems to be no restraints on what Russia will do. This isn't as some have alleged the re-birth of the Cold War. This is about empire and power that has more in common with the war from 39-45. Think about it, at home in Russia fascist youth gangs attack those perceived as illegal aliens with the full support of the government. Government propaganda paints Russia as the victim of NATO and shows off its latest weapons to jingoistic citizens. Abroad the slightest misstep by any neighbor brings about the specter of war or economic ruin. In the Russian world view only Russia gets to decide and every one else had better like it or else.
This new menace to Europe's and ultimately the world's peace and stability poses a very serious question. Who is NATO? I do not mean who the members are, but what do they feel their commitment is. Will Germany go to war with Russia over Poland or Estonia? Will England risk its blood, treasure and perhaps national survival for another member state? Will the US once again commit the souls of hundreds of millions of Americans to possible holocaust to safeguard freedom? This is a critical question that has to be asked and answered. Only a militarily strong and committed NATO can hope to keep Russia in check.
The Ukraine and if possible whats left of Georgia need to be brought into the alliance as fast as possible. Defense spending needs to go up across the board. 1 and 2% of GDP just won't cut it anymore. And NATO needs to take a stand that tells Russia that the days of empire are over and the threats like the new mobile ICBM that Putin threatened to aim at Europe will be met challenge for challenge.
Putin like his militaristic predecessors will only be emboldened by success. Europe and America must never forget that appeasement does not work. If NATO truly desires peace it must speak with a unified voice and gird itself for war. Make no mistake there will be more pushes by Russia. Each one more and more bold and bald faced. It will not stop until Russia is stopped. It is within NATO's power to stop Russia, to ensure freedom. But will it, before its too late.
I can't fault the Georgians for trying to seize the area. The one and only hope after NATO's betrayal was to take the pass. They didn't stand a chance, even David had a sling when he fought Goliath, Georgia didn't have any edge at all. But at least the Georgians didn't roll over and take Europe's betrayal like the Czechs did. They fought for their freedom no matter the odds. Sure Georgia may go on as a nominally sovereign state, but the truth is it will more than likely be under Russian suzerainty. This is exactly what Russia wanted when the backed the separatist. This war is no accident, it was planned from Moscow.
Anyone who has been watching Russia since Putin assumed the thrown has seen this coming. This is simply the latest act of Russian aggression and manipulation. In the past couple of years flush with petro-dollars and under the strong arm leadership of Czar Putin I, Russia has been aggressively re-asserting itself. From menacing the Baltics, to murdering rivals in London there seems to be no restraints on what Russia will do. This isn't as some have alleged the re-birth of the Cold War. This is about empire and power that has more in common with the war from 39-45. Think about it, at home in Russia fascist youth gangs attack those perceived as illegal aliens with the full support of the government. Government propaganda paints Russia as the victim of NATO and shows off its latest weapons to jingoistic citizens. Abroad the slightest misstep by any neighbor brings about the specter of war or economic ruin. In the Russian world view only Russia gets to decide and every one else had better like it or else.
This new menace to Europe's and ultimately the world's peace and stability poses a very serious question. Who is NATO? I do not mean who the members are, but what do they feel their commitment is. Will Germany go to war with Russia over Poland or Estonia? Will England risk its blood, treasure and perhaps national survival for another member state? Will the US once again commit the souls of hundreds of millions of Americans to possible holocaust to safeguard freedom? This is a critical question that has to be asked and answered. Only a militarily strong and committed NATO can hope to keep Russia in check.
The Ukraine and if possible whats left of Georgia need to be brought into the alliance as fast as possible. Defense spending needs to go up across the board. 1 and 2% of GDP just won't cut it anymore. And NATO needs to take a stand that tells Russia that the days of empire are over and the threats like the new mobile ICBM that Putin threatened to aim at Europe will be met challenge for challenge.
Putin like his militaristic predecessors will only be emboldened by success. Europe and America must never forget that appeasement does not work. If NATO truly desires peace it must speak with a unified voice and gird itself for war. Make no mistake there will be more pushes by Russia. Each one more and more bold and bald faced. It will not stop until Russia is stopped. It is within NATO's power to stop Russia, to ensure freedom. But will it, before its too late.
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