« Russians dawdling in Georgia despite pullout agreement | Obama's Denver Speech 'An Underground Sellout' »
August 20, 2008
When does it Matter?
The Cold War created a strong psychological connection between America and those nations held captive behind the Iron Curtain. Freedom was the watchword, but now, it seems that the depth of an international relationship is proportional to the level of distress. Simply, Georgia is in trouble and only now are we evaluating the U.S.-Georgia association.
Americans must understand international relationships forged against Evil Empires aren't just historically romantic interludes. These relationships must be taken seriously.
Here's a hypothetical to consider:
Dateline: EstoniaA Russian military column crossed the Estonian border just after midnight. The initial Russian incursion occurred at the city of Narva, Estonian's third largest city, with a population which nears 90% ethic Russian.The reason given for the Russian military advance was what the Russian government viewed as the dangerously excessive actions by the Estonian government to put down protests by its Russian minority. The protests centered on the removal and renovation of several Soviet/Russian era monuments and historical sites by Estonia, which continues to distance itself from its Soviet past.Estonia defense forces have since fallen back 50 kilometers, while the Estonia president urgently calls for the aide of the international community, the EU as well an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council of which Russia is a member. . .
Yes, this is a bit of fiction, but even as fiction, isn't it worth considering the dynamics of the situation? As days have gone by and Russian forces are still steeped in Georgian territory, the question is: Is Georgia worth it? For that matter, is Russia worth?
Not one penny will come from our pockets if Georgia is dominated by Russia. But then again, if this continues, Russia will be feared. Do we want to keep fearing Russia for another generation, and does the average Russian want to be feared . . . and isolated.
Can America afford to become a fair-weather friend? If Georgia is not worth it, will Estonia be worth it? When do other nations become ‘worth it?'
Unlike Orson Welles's The War of the Worlds, Georgia is not a "holiday offering" and what is going on there is not Russia's "version of dressing up in a sheet and jumping out of a bush and saying "Boo!". It is serious business and worth any and all efforts that can be mustered.
(If I've distressed any Estonians or Russians by the use of their nations in this thought-experiment, I do apologize.)
FOLLOW US ON
Recent Articles
- ‘Make Peace, You Fools! What Else Can You Do?’
- When Nuclear Regulation Goes Awry
- The Danger of Nothing
- A New Pope With Courage
- Not in Kansas Any More
- Democrats Dying on the Most Desolate Hills
- If She’s an Astronaut … I’m a Jet Fighter Pilot
- Is the Jihadist Trojan Horse Winning?
- Who Has the Best American Autobiography?
- This Easter, Let Us Renew Our Faith
Blog Posts
- Life discovered on a distant planet?
- The answer is not blowing in the wind
- Hillary ‘the Russia Hoaxer’ Clinton wants to imprison people for ‘propaganda’
- Rep. Jamie Raskin threatens foreign leaders who cooperate with President Trump with repercussions, 'when we come back to power — and we will'
- Maybe we need more living versions of “Hillbilly Funerals”
- A female fencer's courage is partly rewarded
- Democrats' Cloward-Piven default
- A New Mexico judge resigned over allegations that he kept a Tren de Aragua member in his home
- The Pope’s death is leading to yet more anti-Israel and anti-Trump propaganda
- Ivy League college invites antisemitic rapper onto campus
- Pope Francis, RIP
- It’s not really about Abrego Garcia
- When Oregon became Bart Jason
- Post-election lawfare; legislating from the bench
- Oregon pushes trans track