Aug 14, 2008 11:02 pm US/Central
In The Know: Late To Party, So Russia Invades
(WCCO)
The leaders of Russia are now contending with a new development in their part of the country. Another former Soviet satellite has swung toward the United States. Don Shelby says Russian leaders may want to refresh themselves on the law of unintended consequences.
The Russian incursion into sovereign and democratic nation of Georgia has scared the bejabbers out of other former Soviet states.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO a few years ago, for protection, it seems. The Czech Republic agreed to house in its country the radar for the U.S. Missile Defense System, and now Poland has called upon the U.S. to arm it with defensive missiles.
When the U.S. was growing cozy with the Russians, the missile defense system was touted as a way to defend Europe against rogue nations, like Iran. But now Russia thinks the missiles might actually be aimed at them.
Now Europe is fast-tracking the process to include more former Soviet satellite countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, and perhaps plant a few more missiles in those countries. NATO was too slow to get Georgia in the club, and Russia felt free to invade.
The White House says the agreement with Poland was not intended to rub Russia's nose in it … but, if it was, that works for me.
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