Posted on Dec 31, 2015
Should Russia be our adversary, whether geopolitical or otherwise?
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Many view Russia as an adversary. Maybe not a full blown enemy, but they recognize they don't play on the same team. Some take this a step further and do consider them an enemy.
After watching the recent political debates, I have been amazed by some of the responses to how to deal with Russia. These ranged from shooting down their aircraft in a no fly zone option (a great prelude to WWIII) to just not talking to them.
I completely understand that Russia and U.S. interests don't align. I understand they are doing a lot to undermine some of the things we have done and what we want. They want to protect Asad. Our administration wants him gone. I'm not going to get into that argument and am keeping my views on that topic to myself.
Bottom line is that we have taken a Cold War approach to Russia (and China). We already fought one cold war. My father picked up that fight serving from '67-'90. I personally would rather not be apart of another. Or for that matter an actual conflict (which I doubt is likely). Especially at a time when Russia is beefing up their military and Navy and we are hollowing out.
So to better phrase my question... do we really have to consider Russia an adversary and to lesser extent an enemy? Maybe and adversary. I understand that. You can have adversaries that are allies. And that's my point.
We are in the same fight with Russia and the rest of the world. The fight against radical Islam isn't going anywhere. We are stronger together than apart.
I just feel like over the past decade relations with Russia have deteriorated to the point of no return. There was a mutual respect between our countries post 9/11 that has eroded rapidly since 2010ish.
For me personally, I would prefer open dialogue than a cold shoulder.
Maybe with Putin this isn't possible. I understand who he was, is and what he wants. He's ex-KGB and wants to return Russia to its former glory. But sometimes you get more bees with honey and I rather be at war with ISIS fighting with Russia, than at war with ISIS and Russia. And with our air assets working in such close proximity, accidents are just one mishap away.
Or maybe I am just hoping for too much.
Just something that has been, for lack of a better word, bugging me lately.
Thoughts?
After watching the recent political debates, I have been amazed by some of the responses to how to deal with Russia. These ranged from shooting down their aircraft in a no fly zone option (a great prelude to WWIII) to just not talking to them.
I completely understand that Russia and U.S. interests don't align. I understand they are doing a lot to undermine some of the things we have done and what we want. They want to protect Asad. Our administration wants him gone. I'm not going to get into that argument and am keeping my views on that topic to myself.
Bottom line is that we have taken a Cold War approach to Russia (and China). We already fought one cold war. My father picked up that fight serving from '67-'90. I personally would rather not be apart of another. Or for that matter an actual conflict (which I doubt is likely). Especially at a time when Russia is beefing up their military and Navy and we are hollowing out.
So to better phrase my question... do we really have to consider Russia an adversary and to lesser extent an enemy? Maybe and adversary. I understand that. You can have adversaries that are allies. And that's my point.
We are in the same fight with Russia and the rest of the world. The fight against radical Islam isn't going anywhere. We are stronger together than apart.
I just feel like over the past decade relations with Russia have deteriorated to the point of no return. There was a mutual respect between our countries post 9/11 that has eroded rapidly since 2010ish.
For me personally, I would prefer open dialogue than a cold shoulder.
Maybe with Putin this isn't possible. I understand who he was, is and what he wants. He's ex-KGB and wants to return Russia to its former glory. But sometimes you get more bees with honey and I rather be at war with ISIS fighting with Russia, than at war with ISIS and Russia. And with our air assets working in such close proximity, accidents are just one mishap away.
Or maybe I am just hoping for too much.
Just something that has been, for lack of a better word, bugging me lately.
Thoughts?
Russia
Politics
Foreign Policy
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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It is a fact, not a matter of a question. Russia has always been our adversary, even when we supplied Soviets with American equipment to help in fight against Hitler or worked with Russian paratroopers in Tuzla, Bosnia. By definition, we have always had adversarial relationship because of the divergent geopolitical goals or conflicting national interests.
Russian intervention in Georgia in 2008 ended the brief détente after the collapse of Soviet Union. It was a shot across the bow for anyone delusional enough to believe in a myth that after the cold war we were “friends.”
There should always be an effort to deescalate our adversarial relationship but the question is where do you draw the line? Do you let Russia keep Crimea to form alliance to fight ISIS? Perhaps Eastern Ukraine as well since it is not essential to our national interest? What do you do and what should be our response if Russia takes over Baltics in 72 hours? Would the peace with Russia still be worth this price or should our soldiers start dying for Riga or Tallinn. When do you tell the Russian bear “Nyet!” no more honey?
I am with you in that I would prefer normalizing the relationship with Russia. However, it is impossible with Putin’s clique in power. Although he is now actively trying to force our hand as in “get over the Ukraine and Crimea so we can fight common enemy,” it would be a mistake to think it is anything more than just a sly of hand in political poker.
Russian intervention in Georgia in 2008 ended the brief détente after the collapse of Soviet Union. It was a shot across the bow for anyone delusional enough to believe in a myth that after the cold war we were “friends.”
There should always be an effort to deescalate our adversarial relationship but the question is where do you draw the line? Do you let Russia keep Crimea to form alliance to fight ISIS? Perhaps Eastern Ukraine as well since it is not essential to our national interest? What do you do and what should be our response if Russia takes over Baltics in 72 hours? Would the peace with Russia still be worth this price or should our soldiers start dying for Riga or Tallinn. When do you tell the Russian bear “Nyet!” no more honey?
I am with you in that I would prefer normalizing the relationship with Russia. However, it is impossible with Putin’s clique in power. Although he is now actively trying to force our hand as in “get over the Ukraine and Crimea so we can fight common enemy,” it would be a mistake to think it is anything more than just a sly of hand in political poker.
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CW4 (Join to see)
COL Ted Mc - Yes, ever since we and some other allies were supporting "White Movemen" forces (former Tzarist troops) against the Red Army in 1918, the relationship was more than mere opposite politics. It was also a contrast in economics and philosophy, as you mentioned. Thank you for your note.
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Capt Seid Waddell
Maj Werner Hindrichs, I see that you are new to the site. In time you will come to understand that the down vote on RP is reserved for pointing out abusive behavior, not mere disagreement with what is said.
It is a matter of respect for one's fellow servicemen.
It is a matter of respect for one's fellow servicemen.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SOFA with Iraq is Obama's child. He made the decision to pull out on that timeline.
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SSG (Join to see)
The last SOFA was signed by Bush and expired in 2011. In December of 2011 we completed our withdrawal from Iraq. All Obama did was adhere to the previously agreed upon document.
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President Ronald Reagan - "Evil Empire" Speech
View the full speech here: http://millercenter.org/scripps/archive/speeches/detail/3409 Address to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Flori...
Russia is what it is, whether we recognize it or not. Look at the nations that Russia supports and you will see that they are reliably on the side of the terrorist nations of the world, supporting the spread of terrorism.
I think Reagan had it right:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0x-Egc6oA
I think Reagan had it right:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do0x-Egc6oA
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