Based on our past experience with the former U.S.S.R. over the almost 50 year long Cold War, we should be smarter, and wiser in how we achieve a happy ending with the situation in Georgia. Arguably, the last conflict with the Soviet Union was ultimately resolved through direct diplomacy between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, and the world will certainly be a better place if President George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin arranged for an in person meeting to discuss this very matter. After all, the two met peacefully in Beijing on 08-08-08 at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. They sat next to each other.
Analysts and pundits naively claim that the downfall of communism was solely attributed to being “outspent” in the nuclear arms race; the Star Wars era between 1980-1988. Historians and Reaganites recognize that the final climactic chapter of the Cold War began when Reagan and Gorbachev met for the first time in Geneva Swtizerland in November, 1985. Ultimately, Reagan and Gorbechev met one on one, eye to eye, and established trust with one another. Without the trust between these two historic leaders, our differences would have never been resolved and it is certain that the world would be a very different place than it is today.
Our positioning of missile defense systems throughout Europe are very threatening to Russia, as it would be very alarming to the United States if Russia staged ballistic missile defenses in Cuba once again. Of course, we would never allow that to happen. Regardless of our justification, or use of the world “defenses”, any world power would feel very threatened by the overwhelming presence of Star-Wars type missile systems.
It is undisputed that our international popularity has been suffering greatly as a result of the Bush Administration’s poor foreign policy. The world’s negative perception of our policies, our reckless execution of the war on terror, coupled with the existing administration’s inability to maintain a coalition of allies to support a long term global war, puts the U.S. in an extremely vulnerable position as a world Super-Power. Essentially, we are winning the war, but we’re losing the battle for the hearts and minds of people around the world. We’ve lost some credibility as a Super-Power, and we should look forward to the image enhancement campaign that commenced when Barack Obama visited Berlin.
The Cold War ended in 1991, signified by the resignation of Gorbachev; the Soviet Union was dissolved. Since then, the United States has struggled to maintain it’s top rung leadership among world super powers, seemingly unable to influence the international community of our good “democratic” intentions.
The conlict in Georgia may be a “family matter”, but Russia has inflicted it’s will on a former province, at a time when they could predictably capitalize on the current administration’s vulnerability and lack of credibility internationally. In my opinion, although Russia’s intentions are very self serving and suspect, their strategic timing may be grossly underestimated. They could potentially kill two birds with one invasion; take back their territory to reopen a strategic fuel pipeline, and cause the Bush Administration to miscalculate; putting the final nail in the coffin of public opinion. Russia can quickly relent, retreat, and potentially seal the fate of the Grand Ol Party; an old Cold War Party that doesn’t remember that major Super-Power conflict can only be resolved with sincere diplomacy.
The American public is tired of war, beaten down economically; and worn-out like a donkey forever chasing a carrot on the Amercian Dream stick. Most Americans cannot stomach the sound of politicians beating the drums of war, and future generations cannot bear the cost of another world war.
We can show tremendous strength through diplomacy. We can also miscalculate, with potentially disasterous results by allowing John McCain, George Bush, and Barack Obama to play American politics on the international stage.
The United States and Russia are obviously headed in completely different directions on this very dangerous road. Let’s not underestimate the potential for a head-on collision with our adversary. Our President needs to do what our Democracy ultimately pays him to do; to represent to the world that we are a peaceful, prosperous nation of free and democratic people.
