Despite the fact that the Olympics – a display of international harmony through sport – ended just a week ago, tensions are high between the United States and Russia.
If you are unaware, allow us to bring you up to speed. The country Ukraine is facing economic collapse.
Their former prime minister decided to seek help from Russia (who under the Soviet Union once held Ukraine and robbed it of its resources), despite the fact that roughly half of the country wished to seek aid from countries in Western Europe and the United States.
Ukrainian protestors overthrew that prime minister. Now, Russia has invaded Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula.
Now President Obama and the United States is faced with the dilemma of how to handle Russia.
According to the Reuters article “Obama must carefully calibrate Russia response, rhetoric: Gates” by Phil Stewart, Robert Gates – “a Russia expert and former CIA chief” – had much insight into the situation.
Stewart writes in his article: “Gates said Obama also needed to be mindful of his rhetoric in the days ahead, noting that ‘the stronger the rhetoric, the greater expectation of strong action – even if it’s limited (to) the political and economic arena.’”
The last thing that the United States needs is to engage in another military action.
President Obama is at a cross roads at the moment. Should he step in and intervene, this could turn into a massive conflict between two world-wide super powers.
Should the United States not intervene, the people of Ukraine are faced with the challenge of fighting against Russian forces on their own and escaping the tyranny of Vladimir Putin who seems interested in setting himself up as a Russian czar.
Any action taken is going to lead down a path that could greatly change the course of history for not only those involved, but for the entire world.
Russia remains a very important ally in several conflicts the United States is involved in, including Syria and Iran. Damaging relations with Russia could also inflame these two conflicts even more.
Perhaps the most prudent thing to do would be to allow Prime Minister Putin to make the first move. As dangerous as that may sound, Russia has yet to declare an official invasion of Ukraine or any other official military action.
Freedom should be protected, but when the situation remains hazy it is not time to act with any sort of measures as drastic as a full-on military counter-offensive.
This is a situation that deserves the utmost attention and care.
If we are to avoid another Cold War then this hotbed of questions must be handled with well-thought and carefully crafted maneuvers and rhetoric.
Now is not the time to act first and ask questions later.
Now is the time to think carefully and plot a well-constructed course of action should things either turn sour or unexpectedly go well for those involved in this situation.
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