I'm contemplating a longer post on the Crimea situation. Putin has already reminded the world the he has the ability to reduce the US to radio active ash. In my mind that is just his way of reminding, or informing as the case may be, Obama that Russia is a nuclear power. This may be a wise move on Putin's part. Obama is the dumbest president America has ever had, and he may not know that the Russians have nukes. A reminder may be a good idea.
Since it is impossible to effectively "do" anything about the Crimea joining the Russians without involving the US military (its probably impossible to do anything about it with them) would somebody please inform Obama about what happened the last time an army led by a National Socialist, invaded Russia? A good place to start would be the siege of Stalingrad. While I doubt anyone in the US gives the siege of Stalingrad much thought, I'm positive the Russians remember it well. The last thing American troops want to hear on the battle field is Запомнить Сталинградской битвы!
Especially since the Crimea is of no national interest to the people in the USA. No, I don't consider distracting the American public from the worst economy since Herbert Hoover and Obama's failed domestic agenda an American interest. Obama sucks! Another war won't be able to cover up that fact.
If it comes down to it, Turkey, a NATO member, can close down the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. If they won't, it would be unkind, but a couple well placed bombs at about 41.180101N, 29.071172E and 41.177000N, 29.090398E would make it pretty difficult to get out of the Black Sea, with minimized harm to Istanbul. There are narrower spots, but only if you don't mind hitting Istanbul proper.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many generals and admirals have contemplated that idea--especially since it cuts off Russia's access to the Mediterranean, limiting them on the Atlantic side to the Baltic (where NATO should be able to control the Denmark Straits) and from the Arctic (where NATO monitors the GIUK gap).
The US has all the navel power they could need. The USSR would need 10 to 15 years to build up its navy to the same level as the US. The port is of no importance to the US and never will be.
ReplyDeleteThis is the happiest I've been that Obama is president and not Romney. OTOH, I don't think Russia would have done the same thing with Romney as president. I don't think any of this EU situation would be the same.
ReplyDeleteIf we assume that the USA is the sole arbiter of all that is good and proper in the world, I still have not seen a single reason why we should be opposing Crimea's obvious will to be part of Russia.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only person who isn't stuck in Cold War philosophies and Hitler metaphors?
I can't see a single bad thing about letting the people of Crimea decide for themselves which country they want to be a part of.
I personally don't care one bit who governs the Crimea. If it hadn't been for reading The Charge of the Light Brigade, and perhaps about 5 min on the region in Geography class some 25 to 30 years ago, I'd have nearly no knowledge of the place. I suspect that my pitiful acquaintance with the area exceeds that of most of my countrymen, at least before the "crises". How can an area of the world that Americans knew next to nothing about two weeks ago be vital to our national interest?
ReplyDeleteThe Russians have troops there. So What? We have troops in 130 some countries. The Russians ship petro through there. So what? The Russians want to abandon the petro dollar. Other than hurting the banks and exposing the century old devaluing of the dollar to the American public, again so what? It's not worth a war.
And Crimea wants to join Russia, and they should be able to make that choice no matter what Obama has to say about it.
ReplyDeleteAs regarding the siege during WWII, I love the movie with Jude Law vs Ed Harris playing the Nazi out to destroy Law's character.
I believe it was called Enemy at the Gate. Rachel Weitz is in it too, along with Ron Perlman who kind of mentor's Law's character.
They kept pretty close to the actual historical facts in this movie. I thought Harris was fantastic.