It was 2008 and I had just completed an overseas deployment onboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as part of Amphibious Strike Group Eight.
We did some pretty amazing things that deployment – in addition to maritime interdiction in the Persian Gulf, we also conducted anti-piracy off the coast of Somalia, and responded to a tropical storm crisis in Bangladesh.
When I arrived home and was transferred to “shore duty” at the Joint Public Affairs Support Element (JPASE), I thought that my roving would be relatively limited. Of course, I was wrong. And found out very quickly how wrong I was.
Russia had other things in mind.
I had reported for duty at JPASE in early summer and it was only weeks later that I, and four incredibly talented colleagues, headed to Tblisi, Georgia to describe the “American response” to the Georgian crisis of that year. I was about to go on my first “Humanitarian Mission.”
Yes, Russia had decided to side with the pro-Russian Ossetians in their “revolt” against the Georgian government – a revolt against a government that was so pro-West that they named their main thoroughfare after President George W. Bush and were contributing troops to the effort in Iraq.
Of course, now when I see what is happening in Ukraine, I can’t help but think about what happened in Georgia.
In Georgia, the propaganda game was large and in play throughout the country, but it was very clear that thousands were suffering under the hands of a Russia that still felt might made right – a Russia which was bent on recovering “past territory.”
In the current situation, Russia will protect their direct access into the Black Sea’s resources, not to mention the ease of shipping through the Mediterranean, which makes the Crimean base a tremendous asset to Russia: There’s oil. There’s tourism. There’s way to make money. And there’s pride – most of all, pride.
The show we saw over the last two weeks in Sochi, particularly with homage to Russia’s past glory, was a clear indicator to how Russia feels about itself and its status in the world – a status it would like to reclaim. In addition, there is the practical element that the Black Sea Fleet – along with 15,000 personnel – are based on the Crimean peninsula, which is made up of a population that is at least 50 percent pro-Russian.
Did we not think a mere two decades following upheaval and the falling of the Berlin Wall that the former Soviet state would not desire to “form a more perfect union?”
As of today, Russia has declared it is sending troops into Ukraine. From The Wall Street Journal:
Russia’s parliament voted unanimously on Saturday to authorize a request from President Vladimir Putin to deploy Russian troops in Ukraine, defying warnings from U.S. President Barack Obama and other Western leaders not to intervene.
Russian lawmakers also asked Mr. Putin to recall the country’s ambassador to the U.S. Mr. Obama has publicly warned Russia that there would be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.
Though a major escalation in the openness of Russia’s commitment, Saturday’s move comes as Russian troops and their local allies have already largely taken control of Crimea, a restive province of Ukraine that belonged to Russia until 1954 and remains predominantly pro-Russian.
But what do we care as Virginians? Ukraine is not only across the Atlantic, but it’s a former state of the Soviet Union. What does it matter to someone in Danville, a community that just lost dozens of jobs this week? Or in Richmond where equality is still a dream because of a lack of school choice and inadequate social programs? Or in Fredericksburg where a person might be unsure if their “contractor” might be deported?
There’s plenty of reason to be concerned.
First – Democracy still matters. In the end, America still believes that a republic, governed by representatives, as determined by the people, is the best approach for government. Outside influences, or authoritarianism, that impedes self-determination are contrary to our beliefs as Americans and should be rightfully opposed.
Second, we’re on the clock. An America that ignores this is an America that cedes leadership. To look away cedes any moral high-ground in future issues where freedom is at stake. President Obama has said:
“The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.”
What does this mean?
Third, we have a global economy. It’s not “Russia’s” economy or the “EU’s” economy. We have invited free trade into this world and the ramifications of that choice are coming to bear. A disturbance in one part of the world will affect others.
However, should America get involved? Do we have political will and courage to get involved?
The president is clearly saying there will be “costs”, but what is America willing to do?
With defense budget cuts staring us squarely in the eyes, this administration has made a clear signal that America may not be committed to promoting democracy and freedom throughout the world because we may not have the force to back it up.
This administration has already turned its back on Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, and Syria. What’s to prevent them from abdicating leadership and supporting democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine?
Let me be clear: I am not seeking provocation or military intervention. But Russia is asserting itself. And America must lead – or cede being the cradle of freedom and democracy forever.
We once committed a small group of “humanitarian observers” to be on the ground in Georgia – are we prepared to do so again in Ukraine?
