In an effort to create A consensus among the members of atlantic-community.org
and having read many of their opinions and comments concerning the Caucasus
crisis, I suggest the following policy recommendations to be considered by all
parties involved.
My hope is that the members of the Atlantic Community can agree on the
following:
- The next US
administration must work tirelessly to regain the moral authority lost in
the last eight years. White House condemnations of Russia's actions and
calls for troop withdrawal were either ignored or mocked by the Russians.
It's clear that from the Russian perspective, the US invasion of Iraq
forfeited Washington's right to demand one nation respect the sovereign
territory of another. Without this moral standing, the United States has
only empty rhetoric with which to confront Moscow. The next US president
must labor to ensure that his words carry some moral force, if not with
Russia, with the rest of the world. These words would then have the power
to unite allies against what was by all accounts a disproportionate
military response by Russia.
- The next US
administration must steer away from the Bush administration's current
adversarial policy to one of engagement with Russia. The failure of the
United States to respond forcibly through diplomatic channels to Russian
military action is largely a result of continued miscalculation by the
Bush White House. In fact, White House policies, viewed in Moscow as
blatantly disrespectful of Russia's new wealth and political stability,
were likely one reason behind the size and strength of the Russian
incursion. Russia said repeatedly it felt threatened by the planned US
missile shield in Poland. It showed that it is not afraid to strike when
threatened. The only way to avoid future conflicts is to engage Russia
with firm diplomacy and united with European allies. The United States and
Europe need to firmly relay to Russia that the kind of action taken in
Georgia is not acceptable. It also needs to make clear that responsible
action will be rewarded.
- Germany and
France, as influential powers in the European Union, have the obligation
to clarify to Moscow that future attacks of this nature would result in
severe consequences. Germany and France have said repeatedly that they are
comfortable dealing with Russia as a strategic partner, understanding that
it is better to cooperate with a neighbor than to antagonize it. Germany,
in particular, must take the lead and express in no uncertain terms that
Russian military aggression will not be tolerated. Chancellor Angela
Merkel is to be applauded for the role she is currently playing in the
diplomacy between Russia and the West. She has been a forceful and
steadying voice and has proven that her foreign policy is truly value
driven. However, she must be prepared to take more dramatic steps if
Russia does refuse to engage the West on any meaningful level.
- NATO must put
aside internal divisions and rally around one, united security policy for
Europe. Too often in the last eight years has internal strife made NATO's
words and actions empty at best and impotent at worst. This historic
alliance must redefine a unified 21st century vision of
security policy, taking into account the Russo-Georgian war, the
ever-present terrorist threat, as well as other threats to global
stability.
- The United
States and its European allies must stand together, not against Russia,
but as champions of national sovereignty and the rule of international
law. Relations between the United States and many of its allies in Europe,
under the weight of the Iraq War and other disagreements, have been
strained to the point of breaking. These relations must be repaired with
all sides coming together as equals and with openness.
- Moscow should not be approached as an enemy. It should be approached as a partner. Worries about Russia's imperialist ambitions have been overblown in the West. Even if these ambitions did exist, Russia does not possess the conventional military means to achieve them. Russia deserves respect from and to be treated fairly by its European neighbors and the United States. But Moscow must understand that actions like those taken in Georgia undermine Russia's place in the world and have the potential to cause long-term damage to strategic partnerships.
David Francis is a journalist based in Washington, DC. He recently
traveled through Europe as a John J. McCloy Journalism fellow to report
on energy securty issues.
From the Editorial Team:
We are currently
analyzing all policy recommendations made by atlantic-community.org members in
Your Opinion articles and in the comments section regarding the Russo-Georgian conflict.
We will select the best ideas as well as those suggestions with the most
agreement in our community and turn them into an Atlantic Memo, which will be
distributed to policy makers and other think tanks.
We are grateful to David
Francis for getting us started with this article. Now, over to you: Do you agree
with the above policy recommendations? Is there a consensus on these issues?
Please add further
policy recommendations for Europe and North America for dealing with Russia in
general and finding a solution to the Georgia crisis in particular.
Thank you!
- 19
September 4, 2008
Ari Rusila, Freelancer, Platinum Contributor (167)
Point 1. I agree only adding also Kosovo as issue which ignored international law.
Point 2. I would refer my 1st chapter above.
Point 3. I mostly agree only adding that France and Germany should take more dramatic steps if USA continues its Cowboy policy.
Point 4. A unified 21st century vision of security policy should take into account the experience about one-sided support of nationalist politics in East Europe as well take distance to interests of military-industrial complex.
Point 5 I would like to see a common stand between USA, EU and Russia how to deal peaceful way regarding separatist conflicts or other challenges; could these three Powers restore the role of UN Security Council?
Point 6. I agree adding only to last sentence that both Moscow and Washington must understand that actions like those taken in Balkand and Georgia have the potential to cause long-term damage to strategic partnerships.