Russia's use of brute force to blast into Georgia over the last week is more than just another local skirmish on the other side of the world; it threatens to shift the balance of global power, and that has unquestionably been Putin's underlying goal for a long time.
Georgia is a small former Soviet republic on the Black Sea, with a strongly pro-western government and ambitions to join NATO. The country has also been one of America's strongest allies in Iraq. Last year, the Georgians showed their support for American efforts in Iraq by raising the number of their troops there from 850 to 2,000, at a time when most non-American contingents were removing their forces. This move underscored Georgia's commitment to the US and strengthened the alliance between the two countries.
To see Russia's attack on Georgia as a local skirmish between two bordering states, misses the point entirely. This assault was a bold statement by Russia that went far beyond the borders of Georgia and Ossetia. It was a sharp challenge to the United States to demonstrate that America is a "Paper Tiger" that will be unable to take a stand in the face of Russian military might.
In the beginning, when the force of that military swooped down on Georgia and South Ossetio last week, it almost looked like they were right. Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili immediately looked to the US for support, and expressed deep disappointment when American help did not appear to be forthcoming.
After a slow start, however, President George W. Bush rose to the occasion this morning and said,
"I've just met with my national security team to discuss the crisis in Georgia. I've spoken with President Saakashvili of Georgia, and President Sarkozy of France this morning. The United States strongly supports France's efforts, as President of the European Union, to broker an agreement that will end this conflict. ...The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected. " To back up his words, the President announced, "A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.
"We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit. We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia. And we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country."
There is no way to over-estimate the extent of Putin's hubris. Promises to cease and desist military operations in Georgia and Ossetia are arrogantly broken as Russian soldiers continue to pour into Georgia. When asked about their continuing incursions, Putin claims that his forces are there to "demilitarize the region". Meanwhile, the slaughter and looting by Russian troops and irregular forces in South Ossetia has increased.
The firmness of President Bush's words must now be backed up by strong action. America can no more stand by in the face of Russian aggression than it can against the terrorist threat. In both cases, only strong actions will have influence with those who respect only the strength of force. Russia must leave Georgia, and refrain from repeating this adventure with the other breakaway republics from the former Soviet Union, which are now free nations.
Events are moving very fast. Tomorrow's news will cast new shadows and alter our perception of what is happening. But one thing is absolutely clear: Putin's show of force must not be allowed to go unchecked. And his dream of a greater Russia, modeled on the old Soviet Union, must be stopped before it starts.
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