This report does not fill one with confidence concerning the administration’s reaction to an Israeli air strike on Iran:
In a town hall on the campus of the University of West Virginia, a young airman asked Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen to respond to a “rumor.” If Israel decided to attack Iran, the speculation went, those jet would need to fly through Iraqi airspace to reach their targets. That airspace is considered a “no-fly” zone by the American military. So might U.S. troops shoot down the Israeli jets, the airmen asked the chairman, if they breached that airspace?
Mullen tried to sidestep the question. “We have an exceptionally strong relationship with Israel. I’ve spent a lot of time with my counterpart in Israel. So we also have a very clear understanding of where we are. And beyond that, I just wouldn’t get into the speculation of what might happen and who might do what. I don’t think it serves a purpose, frankly,” he said. “I am hopeful that this will be resolved in a way where we never have to answer a question like that.”
The airmen followed-up: “Would an airmen like me ever be ordered to fire on an Israeli – aircraft or personnel?”
Mullen’s second answer was much the same as his first. “Again, I wouldn’t move out into the future very far from here. They’re an extraordinarily close ally, have been for a long time, and will be in the future,” the admiral said.
It’s a bit mind-boggling that the answer wouldn’t be “no,” or at least “we’d never reach that point.” Something better than leaving the suggestion hanging that Zbigniew Brzezinski’s advice about shooting down Israeli planes might be in the cards. It’s fascinating, really: the administration goes to great pains to rule out military force against Iran but thinks it’s important to leave strategic ambiguity with respect to our ally Israel. Only in this administration could we reach such a dismal point.
I think this is a bit of a reach.. I don’t see your point.
McCain recently has called for Russia to be kicked out of the G8.
Handling Russia post cold war is actually McCains weakest issue for me.
In contrast his best issue for me is his sorta (at least more so then others) opposition to corn based fuel.
i agree with your article. obama has shown several times recently how he is merely responding to the transaction in front of him without the benefit of understanding historical context. it goes at least as far back as the crack about dividing jerusalem and “not understanding” the diplomatic code with which he spoke.
i’ve got to research an article from a couple of years ago when obama went to africa. one of the leaders over there summed him up as an “idiot. this guy knows nothing. he has no idea what he is talking about” (pretty close paraphrase).
although the press has been extremely easy on him, his poll numbers suck. he is no more popular than hillary in 2007 – the sure-fire winner … that is, until we started casting votes. then she tanked. obama’s popularity is paper thin and a projection of media coverage.
I think everyone who reads this indispensable blog regularly knows I’m not an apologist for Russia.
That said, the reason Russia has just invaded the disputed province of South Ossetia is that Georgia has been increasing its troop presence there and trying to consolidate a de facto occupation. Russia’s position is that South Ossetia, with its majority Russian population, should have the option to affiliate with Russia rather than independent Georgia. Georgia disagrees, and understandably. Neither Russia nor Georgia has clear-cut historical “title” to Ossetia, which lies on both sides of the post-1991 border.
We support Georgia in this dispute, and for some good reasons. Our diplomacy is in a very precarious position, however, because we are demanding something we have no intention of enforcing: Russia’s disengagement from South Ossetia.
Coupled with Russia’s recent proposal of a supra-NATO international body to the Atlantic Defense Counciil, this action against Georgia looks very much like Russia taking advantage of a diplomatically lethargic, lame-duck US administration, to launch its own strategy initiatives.
Russia is still smarting badly over the Kosovar independence “debacle” (what it was from the Russian and Serb standpoint). I would not expect Russia to be amenable to another US/NATO-brokered outcome for South Ossetia, or to agree to stand her forces down and let Georgian forces remain in place.
I’d say it sucks to be Georgia right now. If US policy avoids a black eye here — including long-term jeopardy for the natural gas pipeline path through Georgia that we back — it will be only by pure dumb luck. South Ossetia may turn out to be Russia’s declaration of diplomatic independence, and one of the earliest moves in a significant realignment of nations into power blocs.
Why specifically now did Georgia decide to roll into South Ossetia also?
As always, bigger strategies are likely at play that won’t be clear yet.
This is “luck” for McCain?
http://tinyurl.com/6h9umz
Obama (and Bush) are right, and McCain the Russophobe is wrong.
Russia, to be sure, has taken advantage of two ethnic conflicts in Georgia (So. Ossetia and Abkhazia), seeking to retain its influence in the area. Georgia, however, has recklessly started a military confrontation it cannot possibly win. Russia, miffed over Kosovo and seeking to reestablish its influence over its near abroad, is acting much as the US did in Panama and Grenada–defending its hegemony in its near abroad, altough it is to be hoped in this case that the matter is confined to South Ossetia and does not implicate Georgia proper. Not nice, perhaps, but the way regional powers sometimes act.
This incident illustrates the utter folly of those who would have expanded NATO. Do we really expect France or Portugal to challenge Russia over what happens in the Caucasus? Would we sent the Marines to Tblisi? Giving a small nation a blank check to drag a more powerful protector into war is a recipe for disaster (Middle East policymakers, take note).
As for the two candidates, Obama is exactly right. We should try to cool things down but otherwise distance ourselves. McCain’s approach, to antaogonize Russia on every possible occasion, is reckless folly.
Obvious weakness displayed by the Obama Bots….we will see haow this plays out.
I prefer Ron Reagan to Jimmy Carter anyday.
ooo good idea El Vaquero… debate well thought out points and ideas with…
accusations of weakness and unoriginal political talking points.
“I prefer Ron Reagan to Jimmy Carter anyday.”
And I prefer Woodraw Wilson.
I think Obama’s point of view is right. US tried to support democracy in Georgia, but got and agressive ‘tribe king”, who’s trying to resolve his territory problems in war manner unstead of talks, using US frienship like a shield. Supporting him now will strike the USA image.
Is Georgia really that bad guy here or do just have a few left over Russian apologists prattling on.
Abe: Your comments about Obama strike me as just one more attempt by racists to paint a Black man as unready. Then again, maybe the The Ones’s accolytes have me thinking every criticism of The One is racist.
Davod, perhaps He is unready because He didn’t prepare. It has nothing to do with his skin color. I think your latter suggestion is correct.
#9
John Quincy Adams and Calvin Coolidge, thank you very much.
Didn’t Calvin send the Marines to Nicaragua in 1927; and a minor level quagmire ensued until 1933. Georgia is manifestly more democratic than Russia; and more to the point, it is aiding our fight against Wahhabi and Salafi elements in the Pankisi Gorge; without the carpet bombing that turned Chechnya almost into a Wahhabi republic in the Caucasus.
Georgia merely invaded its own territory. Russia invaded Georgia . Now we need McCain
Uhhhh, now wait a, ummmmm, minute. How, uhhhhhh can you put down, I mean, Obama is trying, uhhhhh, to, well, change is important. WHERE THE HELL IS THE TELEPROMPTER?
Leave it up to conservatives to exploit the deaths of 2,000 civilians for political gain.
That Georgia attacked Russia is a bit of a reach. Most of the same people will tell you Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Poland attacked Russia in 1939.
So you perfer Woodrow Wilson? He is the one who started this non sense about America getting involved all over the world. God Bless the people of Georgia and I wish them well, but there is not much we can do there. America Come Home.
I noticed the same thing too- Obama’s statement was a general “can’t we all just be friends” response, that will do nothing to deter Russia or establish peace in the region. McCain’s statement was firm, specific, and informed. Obama’s response was a general request for “talks”, McCain’s was specific proposals.
Obama as usual is just smoke and mirros. I disagree with a lot of McCain’s policy proposals, but the President of the United States should be an experienced and competent individual, and Obama is not.
As a side note, all those who don’t like this post jump to race, conspiracy, or name-calling. That’s not going to convince anyone who is intelligent and confident. Seriously. Calm down and vote for McCain- he’s the best choice remaining.
Oh, and do some research- two good articles to read that will educate you:
How Georgia Fell Into Its Enemies’ Trap – Edward Lucas, Times of London
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4488503.ece
The War That Russia Wants – Svante Cornell, The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/08/georgia.nato
I’m SO voting for McCain.
Georgia stroke in the back of my nation. On the eve of this terrible war Mr. Saakashvili had declared moratorium on the military operations! We went to back and didn’t know, that after some minutes found ourself in the real hell. Suddenly started the bombing of our city, Zhinvali. We was shocked, we tossed in the house, didn’t know, what we should doing, then came down in cellar. I have small child, aged parents, pregnant sister! My husband was injured and he couldn’t help us!!! Alliance from Russia began to report the news per mobile. In was destruction of people, during the all night. House of our neighbors was destroyed by explosion, they dead. My brother said us, that there are a lot of dead bodies on the streets. All was on fire, city was destroyed! We asked for help by sms. Yesterday, on 9th August I with husband and child at ours own risk got out from cellar. We went be car to Dzhava. I thought, that we didn’t reach Dzhava, because bombardment was very strong!
Now I was safe. But my parents and sisters stayed in Zhinvali. Where should I call and ask for help? I saw first-hand blood rivers, dead bodies, houses in fire, ruinous city.
According to official returns there are only the 2000 killed. But I assure you that this number is much more. HELP MY NATION! WE WANT TO LIVE!
Here we know the thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com
PEOPLE!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!HELP TO SOUTH OSETIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This message was from Tchinval(Osetia)////
People rescue us! We only wish to live! We survive, we live last hours! It is the Hell! Rescue us from the Georgian!!!!
Here we know the thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com
My God, rescue us! How many it is possible to destroy innocent people which wants the world??? That is created now-it does not give in to human reason! I have left some hours prior to war! In Tchinval there was an aunt, to undertake, nephews, close friends! They ask about the help, and I can help nothing! Today in 5 mornings there was last communication with the friend: We shall not live till the morning!!!! Farewell!!! At me heart is broken off!!! UNDERSTAND??? A battery at all are unloaded! People have nothing to eat, there is no water!My native and favourite DIE, while the severe president of Georgia cherishs the dreams!
HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OUR PEOPLE IS DIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PEOPLE!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!HELP TO SOUTH OSETIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This message was from Tchinval(Osetia)////
People rescue us! We only wish to live! We survive, we live last hours! It is the Hell! Rescue us from the Georgian!!!!
Here we know the thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com
My God, rescue us! How many it is possible to destroy innocent people which wants the world??? That is created now-it does not give in to human reason! I have left some hours prior to war! In Tchinval there was an aunt, to undertake, nephews, close friends! They ask about the help, and I can help nothing! Today in 5 mornings there was last communication with the friend: We shall not live till the morning!!!! Farewell!!! At me heart is broken off!!! UNDERSTAND??? A battery at all are unloaded! People have nothing to eat, there is no water!My native and favourite DIE, while the severe president of Georgia cherishs the dreams!
HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OUR PEOPLE IS DIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PEOPLE!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!HELP TO SOUTH OSETIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This message was from Tchinval(Osetia)////
People rescue us! We only wish to live! We survive, we live last hours! It is the Hell! Rescue us from the Georgian!!!!
Here we know the thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com
My God, rescue us! How many it is possible to destroy innocent people which wants the world??? That is created now-it does not give in to human reason! I have left some hours prior to war! In Tchinval there was an aunt, to undertake, nephews, close friends! They ask about the help, and I can help nothing! Today in 5 mornings there was last communication with the friend: We shall not live till the morning!!!! Farewell!!! At me heart is broken off!!! UNDERSTAND??? A battery at all are unloaded! People have nothing to eat, there is no water!My native and favourite DIE, while the severe president of Georgia cherishs the dreams!
HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OUR PEOPLE IS DIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GEORGIA IS KILLING US!!!!!!!!!!
It’s like armageddon’s here. I’ve never seen such blackhearted people…but is it possible to call them “people”. My name is Inga, today I saw the scene, that chased on my memory forever. A georgian soldier beheaded defenseless man…before this soldier cut off his moustache and compel him to eat it…
He does not have a right to be called a person…my poor osetian people, my poor lands…
Here you know thrue http://southosetia.wordpress.com