Why Georgia Matters
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The recent eruption of hostilities between Russia and the Republic of Georgia is raising a great many questions about America’s foreign policy, our commitments and our allegiances at a very important time for our nation.
Most importantly for the American public are these two questions: “How does the Georgian conflict affect us as a nation?” and “How will it impact the Presidential Election?”
One the first question, the American public should understand that this conflict will indeed impact the United States. In real terms, Georgia is a major conduit for oil to Eastern Europe. In geopolitical terms, they have been one of the leading former Soviet republics in terms of their efforts to instill a stable, democratic form of government. Quite simply, the United States and its NATO allies cannot afford to allow Russia to get away with an unprovoked invasion of Georgia’s sovereignty and hope to retain credibility as a promoter of freedom in the region. If Russia is permitted to execute this blatant land-grab and bring Georgia back into the old Soviet orbit, can Armenia, Azerbaijan and other former republics in the region feel safe? Obviously not.
As to the impact on the Presidential election, it should be equally obvious that the Georgian conflict is a stark reminder of the instability that still exists in the world and the necessity of strong American leadership at such times. While the Georgian conflict may seem to many Americans to have sprung out of nowhere, John McCain has been aware of the problems in that region for a good long time. Once again, McCain’s experience and understanding of the issues and players involved vastly overshadows Obama’s thin resume. Americans should understand that, for the next President, conducting foreign policy and protecting America’s national security interests will be much more complicated than simply “getting the troops out of Iraq.”
This conflict should not be ignored by the American people. If Georgia falls to Soviet aggression, it will have far-reaching impacts upon the global community over the next four years. John McCain has responded forcefully and intelligently, Barack Obama has not. That should tell the American people all they need to know about these candidates’ readiness to be President.
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[...] O hits the nail square on the head on Georgia Here’s the meat of his post on Bearing Drift: In real terms, Georgia is a major conduit for oil to Eastern Europe. In geopolitical terms, they [...]
“Just when oil prices started dropping, there was another pipeline disruption in Nigeria. And then terrorists hit the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, taking another ¾ of a million barrels/day of non-OPEC oil off the market. And then the war broke out in South Ossetia and the Russian Air Force bombed the BTC line and the Georgians started screaming the war was a Russian play for oil. All the shipments out of the oil-rich Caspian region are now threatened - except, perhaps, the oil shipped east to China.”
http://newenergynews.blogspot.com/2008/08/uk-building-wind-with-both-hands.html
[...] Bear Drift’s Chris O explains Why Georgia Matters. [...]
Barry Obama thinks if he can solve this crisis that he can carry Georgia’s 15 electoral college votes. That’s why he has said the Alabama National Guard should be called in before the Russians reach Atlanta.
[...] Over at Bearing Drift, Chris gives an excellent explanation of Why Georgia Matters. [...]
Did you actually write “Soviet”? Too funny.
That said - nice to see a post about this important issue. Russians have been occupying Georgian land since the early 90s under the auspieces of “peacekeeping”. It is time for newly empowered Russia to recognize the soverignty and international boundaries of its neighbor.
The problem for us is, what do we do? We have no military power left to extend, we need Russia’s support in our actions against Iran and as a counterweight to China, we are in a serious bind. Georgia has been a good ally - and is deserving of our support. But - other than diplomacy, I’m not sure what else our nation could do. Although, the President sitting at a swimming event - and only letting Bob Costas interview him over the weekend didn’t help matters. We really need a Presidential President - ASAP.
Unfortunately, you weaken the post’s worth by overstating McCain’s foreign policy resume. I realize you want/ need to believe that McCain has some experience in this realm, but it simply isn’t true. Heck, he still doesn’t know whose side Al Qaeda is on.
Russia should get Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Instead of having to deal with three separate corrupt dictators, we could consolidate our dealings with W’s pal, Pooty-poot. You guys remember Putin, the guy about who W said, “Hey, I looked into his eyes and we can deal with this fella.”
So, there you have it. Nothing to worry about. W is still, “The Decider-in-Chief.”
01-20-09
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Ragnar,
First of all, I was referencing the former Soviet Union, so that was accurate. I don’t see what’s so funny about Putin’s territorial desires.
Second, how did I overstate McCain’s foreign policy resume? I stated that he has more experience and understanding of the issues and players involved than Obama. That much is starkly evident just in their responses to the news. I’ll gladly put McCain’s resume on these issues up against Obama’s any day of the week.
Experience does not equal judgement (Douglas Feith?). Rumsfeld’s DoD more than demonstrated that.
Sure, McCain has more experience - the man’s been in Washington for 25+ years! But many would argue that its just this sabre rattling that contritbuted to Saakashvili’s (misplaced) confidence that the US and/or NATO would militarily back any action he took in South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
Whoops.