As a conservative, I was particularly disappointed with Michael Cartier's assessment of the Georgian conflict. The invasion of Russian troops into Georgian territory was not any sort of "retaliation." For nearly 20 years, Russia has attempted to destabilize any former Soviet republic that has broken away towards democracy. Over that time, Russia has developed, financed and protected these alleged "separatists" within other states' sovereign territory. Take for example, next to none of South Ossetia's officials are local citizens. They are high-ranking former KGB officials from Russia. South Ossetia simply provides them a way to cause trouble against the breakaway government; trouble financed by human trafficking, diverting funds and starting wars. Russia is not retaliating; they have wanted this fight for sometime to assert a dwindling regional influence.
Since the start of this conflict, Russian media has been the quintessential lap dog in broadcasting the Kremlin's lies. They have exaggerated claims about Georgian aggression, alleging "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide," even going so far as to say that this attack is a Bush administration effort to hurt the Obama campaign. Interesting that these claims are exaggerated upon when Russia is sponsoring separatist attacks to destabilize a country, invading across an internationally recognized border, committing endless bombings and breaking a ceasefire.
Providing stability is returned to the strategic situation, the United States needs to slowly, but surely, reinforce its stated commitment to send a clear message to Russia that it is way out of line. We need to work for NATO to confirm both Georgia and the Ukraine, and solidify Poland's commitment to a missile defense shield; both initiatives would have prevented this invasion. The United States should want peaceful relations with every country but those countries have to want peace and not conquest.
William J. Haun Senior, School of Public Affairs
