How To Deter Russia
Ideas are circulating about how to punish Russia for invading Georgia, but the West's focus should be on deterring aggression, not exacting revenge. Moscow's aim is broader than most have stated. It is not seeking simply to oust Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. It wants to intimidate Georgia and coerce other "near abroad" countries throughout the former Soviet dominion.
Western policy should have three dimensions: countering Russian aggression, enhancing regional deterrence, and strengthening recovery and governance in Georgia. All will raise the cost of future aggression.
After an earlier outrage -- the 1983 downing of Korean Airlines Flight 007, in which dozens of Americans died -- there were calls to break diplomatic and economic ties with the Soviet Union.… Seguir leyendo »