The suggestion this week, after Russia's thuggish smackdown of the Republic of Georgia, that "we" (meaning the other imperialist powers, incl the USA and Britain) should punish the Russians is laughable.
First, from a practical standpoint, just what does Bush, Brown, et al think they can do that is meaningful, short of starting WWIII?
More to the point, especially as regards the USA and Great Britain, is the lack of moral authority we have to condemn anyone these days. Is Russia's behavior more thuggish than that of our ally Israel when she bombed the crap out of Lebanon over the kidnapping of a soldier? Is Russia more of a scoflaw than the USA, which started a war in Iraq over nothing, resulting in the deaths of of least 10s of thousands of Iraquis?
At least the Russians can claim a couple of facts (whether these facts are justifications is a matter of opinion): first, Georgia was part of the Russian/Soviet empire for 2 centuries. Second, Georgia is on Russia's doorstep and in a very critical and strategic location, made more so by US military presence in the region and by our inflammatory invitiation for Georgia to join NATO. Last (although this is as yet unproven) Georgia started it by invading South Ossetia.
What amazes me is how rank-and-file Americans can work themselves into a righteous frenzy over Russia's bad behavior, while ignoring our own indiscretions as well as the larger context of our involvement in their back yard. Why is our imperialism OK, but theirs isn't? If you are an imperialist, stepping on other people is part of your job description. If you want to condemn imperialism, you need to quit your job as the world's chief imperialist first.
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3 comments:
Magnificent comment on our life and times. Well written observation of modern conundrum1
You've left out two important facts.
First, South Ossetia and Abkhazia are pro-Russian and don't consider themselves Georgian - at least, a majority of their residents don't. So, they are essentially parallel to the Albanians of Kosovo. That makes the Georgians - who have been anything but democratic for the past 16 years - the Serbs.
Second, the two regions have essentially been independent or at least outside Georgian control for some time now. AND GEORGIA ATTACKED THEM. Probably thinking the Russians wouldn't dare do anything on the opening day of the Olympics.
Now, I'm not saying the Russians are in the right. Only that the Georgians are not in the right.
I agree with you, Michael, though the thrust of my argument was aimed at our (American's) self-righteousness in re the Russsians and this act of aggression, rather than on the act itself.
I feel that, if you are going to claim the high moral ground, you need to be highly moral -- or at least not a player in the same games you are condemning.
It seems clear to me that our meddling in the area, eg inviting Georgia in NATO, selling a missile "defense" system to Poland, etc, can have no point except to be a poke in Russia's eye. And Russia has shown repeatedly that, when it feels insecure, it becomes expansionist.
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