During the cold war, Soviet and US planes routinely escorted one another along the outskirts of one another's airspace, with the pilot's fingers surely on the trigger. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the Cold War was considered over, and the Russian planes ceased their flights around US territory.
That was 1992 - This is now.
Russian bombers began flying off the coast of Alaska last year - a direct threat to US oil supply. This was the first real show of force from Russia towards the United States in nearly two decades. It adds to the increased tensions between the two nations, and may be pushing a direct threat in the face of the Georgian conflict.
Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, warned Moscow that they are playing a dangerous game by pushing the US into Cold War relations with the country.
Russia's resurgence has been made possible by the income gained from energy resources and their respective high prices. Europe's dependence on Russia for energy has given Moscow influence over the continent that the Soviets could have only dreamed of. And now that the once broken Russian government is being strengthened with Cold Hard Cash, and they sense an air of anti-Americanism throughout the world, Russia is looking beyond the Soviet era and into the beginnings of a new Russian Empire.
As this BBC report states, Russia is clearly back after the chaos from the Soviet collapse:
With the war coming to a general close in Iraq, tensions are rising as the US and Russia assert their influence - Cold War style. China is not yet a major player, militarily, though they have been a nuisance to US naval operations - shadowing US fleets and interrupting training exercises in deep waters. The US is faced with Georgia's situation, Iran's Russian backed Nuke plan, tensions due to Polish missile defense systems, Ukrainian pleas for help after Russia's claim to their territory (similar to Georgia), Russia's announcement that it plans to use a 1960's style tactic of placing nuclear missiles in Cuba, China's relationship with Taiwan and Japan, and the list goes on.
From where I stand, the 21st century is shaping up to look a lot like the 20th century. It would appear that we may have been witness to a false spring... and the Bitterly Cold Winter of War between Russia and the US is still simmering.
Yeh, well th' heck with th' execrable Miss Rice 'n her "warnin's". The Russians have been a-warnin' us, 'n rightly so, to back off our imperialist exploits on they doorstep (NATO expansion, missle shield, interference in th' Balkans, 'n wutnot). In keepin' with th' insights of th' great mind who is Samuel P. Huntington, ol' Vlad Putin has continually complained 'bout American "unipolarity." How wud we like it if'n Russia did the same thang ohn our borders-att we doin' ohn theys? Ever hurd of "reciprocity?"
ReplyDeleteY'all need t' read this-un:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/who_lost_russia.html
Snaggle-Tooth Jones, the Colorado Confederatarian
Here's att link as a tinyurl:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/5kqwpa
("Who Lost Russia", Pat Buchanan)
S. Jones
Jonesie -
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. When I first started covering the georgia issue, I took a look at both sides of the coin, and gave Russia the benefit of the doubt.
However, prior to the Georgian conflict, it was Russia who has been inciting secession of S. Ossetia - not for a free country, but for Russia to reclaim territory.
This is an interesting predicament - mainly brought about by US influence around the world, and the US eliminating Russia's ability to defend herself against the US.
So who is right?
There should be certain truths in our world:
1. Genocide is unacceptable. Any country practicing or supporting genocide should be toppled, so as to take away the ability for government sponsored murder.
2. Trust but verify - we have to mutually trust that each country is acting in the best interest of the world. Ini the case of Georgia, was Russia invading, or stopping the attack of civilian targets?
3. Imperialism does not lead to freedom. Each country / community must be allowed to live freely, including freedom from proxy wars between superpowers.
Needless to say, this is a fine mess we have gotten ourselves into. Wasn't it Washington who warned against such foreign alliances?
Ye say ye agree with me. But thin ye take a strong neocon opposition to Russia.
ReplyDeleteI'm cornfused, Steve: which is it? Do you agree with me or do ye take a strong neocon opposition to Russia? Because I tout the paleocon/realist postion set forth in this here blog entry:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzM4ZmM0ZGMzZjIzY2JmYzIyY2E4NzRkNDQyNGIyNmI=
wharas ye dohn't.
I dohn't thank ye really agree with me. You?
Jonesie -
ReplyDeleteIn my series of reports on this issue, I have made attempts to view this conflict from both sides.
My view is different from Paleo and Neo, per the article you attached.
Originally, I stated that Russia was playing the role of peace-keeper, stopping Georgia from shelling a civilian city. For this, Russia should be commended. Just because a country is an ally of the US does not mean that the US should sit back and allow them to shell civilians!
It is only now that Russia's intentions are clear - that they chose to occupy greater Georgia - that I am concerned.
The US is not innocent - we are definately pushing buttons by pushing NATO into eastern europe, and moving missile defense shields into ex-soviet republics.
However, the stance I am officially taking is that Russia should not be threatening force as a response to world events. It only serves to isolate their country, and put the world on alert.