As I point out earlier, I want a diplomatic solution for the situation for Russia. In order to resolve the issue, American political leaders will have to acknowledge that at best Russia is a strategic competitor and at worst an enemy. I think it is probably the latter. Right now they are clearly not a “friend.”

Any possible diplomatic solution would involve the concept that I think is commonly known as “realpolitik.” Russia is probably the only country on earth who is capable of defeating the US in a military confrontation. In a case such as Russia, a “realpolitik” solution, while I don’t like it, might be the best we can do.

Part of a negotiated settlement with Russia could include the US agreeing to withdraw all support from former USSR republics. In return for this concession by the US, Russia will agree to withdraw all support from Iran, Syria, Hamas, Venezuela, and all of the other terrorist supporting states and organizations that they currently support. If this type of agrement can be reached, the GWOT becomes much easier to win. Without the support of Russia Iran and the other Islamic terrorist supporting states can be defeated much easier.

I don’t really like this solution. Some of the former USSR republics are willing to work with the US and the West becuase they don’t want to fall back under the totalitarian rule of Russia. Under this agreement they would be sacrificed. Also, the US would have to give up legitimate business interests with these former Soviet Socialist Repblics. These are mainly oil interests. This would have a huge financial cost for the US.

Russia would lose its weapons sales to Iran, Syria, Venezuela and others. The US and the West could compensate Russia for this loss by some type of financial arrangement. Russia certainly does not need Iranian oil. They have plenty of that. Yhis type of agreement will cost the US more than it costs Russia. If Russia has any interest in peace, this should be an acceptable agreement to them or at least it should be a good starting place from which to negotiate.

We should develop more of our own oil and natural gas resources. This will give us more leverage at the negotiating table.

Before we can do anything constructive it is necessary to recognize that Russia is not a friend nor or they an ally in the GWOT. It seems to me that the Cold War is back on. In fact, I don’t think it ever really ended.

As stated previously, I don’t like the agreement. I specifically don’t like the part about sacrificing people to the tender mercies of Russia who don’t seem to want any part of that. To be honest, I don’t think this agreement would work any way. I think Russia would either not agree to it or they would promptly violate it.

We have to take measures to make sure Russia doesn’t get too comfy with its rising diplomatic power status.

Russia has made it clear to the Americans that it does not take too lightly upon the subject of domestic interference, and that it will use its influence over critical areas of America’s interest to prevent any sort of bullying or coercion to pressure its government into reform, or instigating secessionists within Russia to protest against Putin.

Ironically, American intervention in its affairs has set an opportunistic precedent for Putin to re-establish Russia as a modern superpower: with the potential to control oil supplies in the Caspian Sea alongside Iran, as well as the deterrent of a nuclear-armed Middle-East and the fate of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in its hands, Russia is watching and matching every single American move on the proverbial board, chesspiece by chesspiece.

It’s about time people in this country realized that we’re not running the show any more.

We never were running the show, sir, but rather enjoyed the fruits of some mutually beneficial alliances with Western Europe during the Cold War.

If only these same allies would appreciate the true nature of the evil the “free world” collectively faces from the various ‘cists and rogue militias, but alas they think they can safely pursue different priorities.

Chip

I agree. Option number 1 seems to be the best option. One way to cripple the Iranian economy would be to commit enough troops to secure Iraq. As I understand it, the lift cost per barrel of oil is lower for Iraqi oil than it is for Iranian, Russian, or Saudi oil. This would enable us to neutralize the threats of our enemies. Unfortunately this policy cannot be implemented right now. The political climate would never allow it.

In any event, what we are currently doing is contributing to the instability in the Middle East. This drives up the price of oil. To date, the chief benefactor in the GWOT has been Russia. We will need to alter some of our policies or at least execute the ones we have better.

A good place to start would be to actually recognize Russia for what it is. It is not our “friend.” It is our most dangerous enemy. Simply recognizing it for what it is does NOT necessarily we go to war with them. If we can use diplomacy to get them to withdraw support from Iran, winning the GWOT becomes much easier.

Gredgn

You write: “Your arrogance is breathtaking. Its about time people in this country realized we’re not running the show any more.” It is clearly in America’s interest to formulate an effective policy to deal with the threat posed by Russia. Part of this policy will be strategies on how to fight a war against them should it become necessary. Naturally we hope to avoid it but it may be inevitable. In any event, a successful policy to counter Russia, will go along way toward neutralizing those who you say “run the show.” Refusing to capitulate before one’s enemies is not arrogance. It is prudent policy. It begins with recognizing one’s enemies for what they are. Russia is the most dangerous enemy of America and the free world.

You write: “China holds our dollars.” This is true. It is also true that their economy would be seriously hurt if they were to lose access to the American market. This at least gives us some leverage. We can get even more leverage against them, if we would be willing to abolish the highly expensive well-fare state that currently exists in the US. If China unloads our dollars, this hurts their economy making it more difficult for them to invest in their vast military machine. Also, it would mean the end of deficit spending in the US. This would mean the end of the well-fare state. To that I say, GOOD RIDDANCE!!

“Russia, Iran, and Venezuela have oil.” This is true. We do also. we have huge oil and natural gas fields that we are unable to tap into because enviro-whackos have to much control over American energy policy. We also need to build more refineries and we need to invest more in nuclear power plants. We have been unable to do much of this becuase of the concerns of the same enviro-whackos. In any event, by developing more of our own resources this will give us more leverage when dealing with these people.

“China and Russia have veto powers in the UN.” So do we. Most countries act in their best interest regardless what the UN says or does. Only the US is expected to capitualte before the UN. The UN cannot do anything to stop China’s raping of Tibet. The UN could not make Saddam Hussein cooperate with weapons inspections. The UN could not stop the genocide in Rwanda. The UN cannot stop Mexico’s illegal alien invasion of the US. The UN cannot or will not do anything to stop the Palestinian Arabs from trying to annihilate the state of Israel. The UN is a hopelessly corrupt entity. It should be abolsihed. I would not be opposed to withdrawing from it entirely.

“…the list goes on” A prevailing myth is that the US is some sort of “hyperpower.” I’m glad you recognize this.

Your arrogance is breathtaking. It’s about time people in this country realized that we’re not running the show any more. China holds our dollars, Russia, Iran and Venezuela have oil, both China and Russia have veto powers in the U.N… the list goes on.

Agreed that Russia is something we will have to take care of as soon as possible. Iran can only boast of its invulnerability and violate each and every international law with impunity because Russia and China are too invested in it, pacified by economic interests.

Either

1) we remove the external patrons to the Iranian economy and curb their investments; or

2) we wait and pray that in the future, the Saudis will be convinced to unload oil in great supply and drive the price down, thereby crippling the Iranian economy

I say we take the first option, because firstly, time is not on our side; secondly, the Saudis aren’t our friends.

Without the support of Russia Iran is nothing. It would be farily easy to contain. If we can use diplomacy to get Russia to withdraw its support from Iran, this would go a long way toward winning the Global War on Terror. In order to do this, we will need to admit that Russia is an enemy. Unfortunately very few leaders have the courage to admit that the country with the largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world is actuallly an enemy.

But last year Iraq was not embroiled in a civil war, buddy.

Now on to the current reality. Since 14 of 18 provinces (containing 2/3 of Iraq’s population) are relatively calm, any assertion the country is gripped by civil war is ludicrous on its face.

It’s quite fortunate the sensible, non-partisan, non-ideological middle of our great nation speaks and acts out of concern for what’s right for the country, rather than crowing about being right should one of the arrows in the constant barrage of negativity, masquerading as “activism,” actually come close to hitting its mark.

Chip