This morning a friend and I were discussing foreign policy. We were talking about the situation in the Ukraine, Russia’s aggression, and the history of the cold war. My friend went into detail about America’s roll in the world in the 20th Century, and I discussed England’s role, particularly in the 19th century. We both agreed that having an English speaking nation patrolling the seas, was essential to protecting free trade, and ensuring our liberties here at home.
We discussed what we would do if either of us was president, instead of our current befuddling fool in the White House. His was more of an aggressive plan, threatening Putin, while mine was more diplomatic. If I were the president, I would use the 1994 Budapest Memorandum to send US Troops into the Northern part of the Ukraine, with a statement that the troops will be put there to ensure a peaceful transition of power while the interim government goes about holding fair elections.
Many would view this as escalating the situation and provoking a third world war. Yes, it would escalate the situation, but it would stop Russia in its tracks. In fact, it may even prevent a third world war, because it would stop Russia from gobbling up sovereign nations, and consolidating more power for itself. Remember that Nazi Germany gobbled up neighboring territories in the late 1930’s, and then became unstoppable when it invaded Poland.
History is repeating itself, as it always does. Sometimes you have to meet aggression with aggression. Now I’m not saying we should go bomb Russia, or attack its troops or assets in the region. I’m simply saying we should put troops on the ground, in accordance with the existing treaty, and then figure out a peaceful deal with Russia to ensure a smooth transition of power in the Ukraine.
It is my understanding that much of the Crimea is actually of Russian decent, and consider themselves Russian before Ukrainian. That’s fine, if they want to hold a referendum and rejoin Russia, that should be put on the table. The northern part of the Ukraine could then hold a referendum to install a pro western leader, and then join the EU. In this instance, both sides win, and both sides save face.
Now, if we don’t do anything, Russia will attack the Ukraine, our president will look like the idiot he actually is, and Russia will aggressively expand her territory, while we sit on our hands, with the most powerful military in the world, looking pathetic and weak, when we could easily stop the aggression, without even a shot being fired.
Now, I know my libertarian friends will be furious that I would even suggest all this, but, we are the worlds foremost superpower, and we are a constitutional republic. We ensure free trade in the world, we are the check against Communist China, and aggressive nations like Russia. While I agree we should not go out of our way to meddle in other countries affairs, when we have treaties, we should enforce them. It’s a very fine line. We should promote and protect counties which want democracies and free trade.
That is my take on the situation. Unfortunately, I fear we will do nothing in this instance, and Russia will grow in power, while we sit around and do nothing but unnecessarily lose influence in the world.
What would you do if you were in power?
Becoming American 