Russia has continued to carry on military operations against some of its minor neighbors, despite international pressure not to do so. In such a situation, would it be advisable for the United States to intervene? In his book, “American Empire Before the Fall,” Bruce Fein argues that the United States should not get involved, because there is no serious security risk to them in these regional conflicts.
The United States is urging NATO admissions for Georgia and Ukraine. Both are at risk of war with Russia. In 2008, Russia fought Georgia over the break-away territory of South Ossetia. Russia has formally recognized the independence of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia. It kept troops in Georgian territory in violation of 2009’s cease-fire accord over South Ossetia.
Moreover, it has established a military base in Abkhazia. Georgia’s volatile President, Mikhail Saakashvilli, might exploit NATO membership to provoke Russia to war. Saakashvilli probably initiated the clash over South Ossetia to accelerate Georgia’s NATO bid. A Russian conquest of Georgia would not heighten Russia’s national security threat to the United States.
