” It is in no way easy or convenient, but defending freedom usually isn’t.
I don’t see why the Europeans haven’t mobilized to help a democracy on its borders being overrun. Hopefully, they get their heads out of the sand and stand with Georgia before Russia regains its iron grip on eastern Europe once again.
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I am not sure the players involved are particularly concerned about whether georgia is a republic (democracy?) or not, but instead are looking at what economic and strategic assets are at stake, and what cards russia has to punish any critics, in the case of france/germany/etc..
Additionally, Georgia is geographically somewhat out of the way, in terms of converting tough talk into action.
I do not think it is the job of the US to ‘defend freedom’ halfway across the globe. Some of the founders might have suggested it was none of our business at all, but the US ‘defends freedom’ when it is convenient to and ‘ignores freedom/defends tyranny’ when it is as well. The ‘defend freedom’ is just for political posturing/domestic consumption.
I do think, given reality today, that the US must act to defend its own interests, which certainly include not allowing russia to simply take a former SSR and its pipeline and black sea port.
“I do think, given reality today, that the US must act to defend its own interests, which certainly include not allowing russia to simply take a former SSR and its pipeline and black sea port.”
I should add to the end of that, ‘to the degree we can without having to take on russian defensive positions to remove them first.’
If russia had or is able to occupy key strategic sites in georgia before the US can, then it certainly becomes that much more favorable for them.
I don’t know anything about what ports or port facilities are in play here that would be useful for the black sea fleet to really understand what russia needs to acquire or hold on to at this point.
Sure, I agree defending freedom isn’t the sole reason the U.S. is trying to stop Russia. We should seek to defend our own interests, and that includes keeping Russia from getting control of the oil pipeline and from increasing their sphere of influence.
However, it is important that we support our allies. Georgia has supported us in Iraq when few others have. They have (had) the third largest number of troops in Iraq. If we leave them hanging, how can others trust us?
We must not allow Russia’s hand to be strengthened. If Russia becomes emboldened, so will Iran. It certainly looks like they’re working together to create worry and uncertainty. (Not to mention Biblical prophecy in Ezekiel points to an alliance between these two nations against Israel, but that’s a subject for another time.)
Sometimes I feel like going all Ron Paul ... withdrawing and letting the Europeans and everyone else fend for themselves, but I don’t know if that’s responsible or practical in today’s world. Many nations complain about the U.S., but I think this world would be a dark place indeed if we ceased to stand up for what is right. I don’t know ... perhaps that’s too idealistic.