Russia exerts power/ Opinion

[MorningGlory]

Following a point that was made somewhere . . .

What should the US do?

or asked another way -

What can the US do that wouldn't provoke WW3?

Isn't that what Chamberlain said towards Hitler and the Nazis? Are we going to stand by and let Russia (or any other country for that matter) invade other countries. This isn't just any country either. They are our ally, they have an oil pipeline that isn't controlled by Russia, and we want to place part of our missile defense shield in their country. What we should do is assist Georgia by the symbolic placement of a contingent of Marines in the capital. Russia is not stupid.

Great idea! That would force the Russians to lay down their cards....and either ramp up or shut up. It would be a little dicey but, so is letting the Russians get out of control.

[Rick-Parker]

Do I sense sarcasm?

[MorningGlory]

Do I sense sarcasm?

From me? Or who?

[Rick-Parker]

Ya, you.

[O'Dannyboy]

I think the U.S. is putting more emphasis on aid workers. They are using a tactic that has worked so well for the Palestinians. Mix reporters and aid workers together and do so defiantly for sake of propaganda. I believe it carries more weight with the public when aid workers are harmed which would provide the U.S. more options when considering any "response". Putting U.S. troops could be painted as "provocation" and as such might give the Russians the excuse they need to finish what they started.

[Rick-Parker]

So instead, we should just stand around in protest while Russia does what it pleases? The is what they expect us to do. Remember the actions we took to break the blockage in Germany? We need to be just as tough with Russia now as we were then. Russia know that they would launch WW3 if they attacked us. This is a situation where covert action is wrong. They world needs to see and know that America is willing to risk war to defend it's friends and allies.

[Guest]

So instead, we should just stand around in protest while Russia does what it pleases? The is what they expect us to do. Remember the actions we took to break the blockage in Germany? We need to be just as tough with Russia now as we were then. Russia know that they would launch WW3 if they attacked us. This is a situation where covert action is wrong. They world needs to see and know that America is willing to risk war to defend it's friends and allies.

Exactly.

Georgia is supposed to be one of our allies, and has a democratic government. I do not want to see the US turn its back on an ally. Now that I think of it, Kennedy stood up to the Russians during the Cuban Missile Crisis and it worked. We could have had a nuclear war, but it worked. The Soviets backed down.

[nebula]

But which troops do we send in?

[O'Dannyboy]

So instead, we should just stand around in protest while Russia does what it pleases? The is what they expect us to do. Remember the actions we took to break the blockage in Germany? We need to be just as tough with Russia now as we were then. Russia know that they would launch WW3 if they attacked us. This is a situation where covert action is wrong. They world needs to see and know that America is willing to risk war to defend it's friends and allies.

Our problem is our damaged reputation. The U.S. does not wish to appear trigger happy as we did in the case of Iraq. The U.S. leadership seems willing to take more risks than they usually would in order to consolidate it's support base. No doubt the U.S. is discussing the situation with NATO and it's other allies in the case a "coalition" is needed. As many have already mentioned, our military is stretched pretty thin. If we are not in a position to take on Iran we can be doubly certain that we are not in a position to take on Russia. I believe our leadership, under the circumstances, is playing it smart, despite what others may think.

[MorningGlory]

Ya, you.

No, I was agreeing with you, BP. I'm for a hard line policy when it comes to Russia.