Radical Avenue

In order to chastise our European allies for failing to support the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said this:

Germany has been a problem and France has been a problem, but you look at vast numbers of other countries in Europe, they’re not with France and Germany on this, they’re with the US. You’re thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don’t. I think that’s old Europe.

Mr. Rumsfeld must love the Republic of Georgia, which sent troops to fight alongside US soldiers in Iraq.

Last week our former Cold War adversary Russia invaded Georgia, a move Rumsfeld’s old boss considers unacceptable. Russia has completely ignored President Bush’s call for a cease fire and has left the US looking like a paper tiger.

NATO Weakened Under Bush
Russia would never invade Germany or France. These countries belong to NATO. NATO was established to protect Europe and the North Atlantic. An attack on one member triggers a response from all other members.

While Russia is in no position invade a NATO country, Georgia is another story. The United States has no long standing obligation to defend the Georgian borders. That’s the difference between “old” Europe and “vast numbers of other countries” in Europe.

Bush and Rumsfeld’s cowboy diplomacy has left the US in the worst possible position. We’ve insulted our old allies and failed to protect our new friends.

Putin No Friend of the US
The problematic outcome of Russia’s war in Afghanistan twenty years ago undoubtedly lead to some consternation for the Russian military. Hard line Russian politicians have probably been itching for a chance to give their troops a shot at redemption. Also Georgia is of tremendous strategic importance to oil companies. Sound familiar?

Far from being rejected by the Russian people, this military operation in Georgia will trigger nationalist pride and strengthen the hand of the Russian politician who ordered the invasion. George Bush looked into Vladimir Putin’s eyes and saw Dick Cheney’s soul. No wonder they get along so well.