Avoid war with Russia

Krista Giles
Soc. 202
Sept. 19, 08; 6:01

As Georgia's wish to join NATO becomes more apparent the more Russia is saying that it's not necessary. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yakovenko it's "not a possibility" that Russia and the U.S. will go to war. So why is it such a problem now that Georgia joins NATO? Is Russia scared? This attack on Georgia has become even more less obvious to the point where Condoleezza Rice gave a speech that "accused Russia's leaders of hurtling a proud nation toward global irrelevance by pursuing misguided and paranoid policies." Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates seems he understands that Russia's attack on Georgia was not "an ideology-based effort to dominate the globe," but a "grievance-based desire to dominate." Gates realizes that Russia has only targeted smaller countries in this strategy and agrees that the U.S. and NATO can help Georgia but why return to the past? Starting a war with Russia will only push the U.S. back farther. Although the Bush Administration is still fighting for Georgia to join NATO and is "insisting that Russia will bear consequences for an unjustified war but stopping short of levying more than symbolic punishments itself." It looks like both Russia and the U.S.’s militaries seem to be ahead of their governments. Russia is still invading Georgia even though Russia’s government says there is no problem. Meanwhile the U.S.’s military is in it’s own war and the one half of the government is trying to start another.

Sources:
Associated Press, and Google News