March 9, 2017
“Foreign Policy: Russia”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,”an ancient proverb attributed to several difference sources, has often been the relationship between the United States and the U.S.S.R. (somewhat now Russia). We were allies during war, but the political doctrines have never been completely compatible. While there are certainly issues between Russia and much of the western world, enemies is not a productive term to use for the relationship.
During my high school years, late 1960's, the Soviet Union was seen as an adversary, one which we kept at a safe distance but maintained diplomatic relations to prevent “accidents” or “misunderstandings.” Many people attribute the decline of the Societ power and eventual demise of the old U.S.S.R. to President Ronald Reagan. It was Reagan's theory that an arms race would bankrupt the Soviets and force them to negotiate an end to nuclear weapons. After all, it doesn't take thousands of nukes to end life on earth. At the time, there were approximately 25,000 nukes between the two nations. Today, after years of negotiations and dismantling of stockpiles, there are probably 12,000 nukes worldwide. It's still 100 times too many, but the fewer weapons, the fewer potential accidents.
My philosophy then and now is the same. We don't change a culture by threatening to extinguish it; we change a culture by sharing prosperity, openly communicating, and not threatening. The Russian people changed their own government policies and leadership because they wanted a better standard of living: clothes, televisions, appliances, fast food, music, entertainment, etc. It was through consumerism that the “old Soviet Union” dissolved, at least temporarily. It wasn't our power and the possibility that we might “blow them off the map.” The Russian people are just as honest, hard-working, loving, and caring as any other people. They are just like us. For a short time, they had the opportunity to live under a responsive, somewhat democratic government, just like we do. Even the early years of Putin being in charge were good; the United States and Russia worked well together. At some point, for whatever reason, Putin's KGB training and personal greed transformed the leadership of Russia.
Today, Putin seems to be doing everything that he can to “push the envelope” to rebuild the old “Soviet Union” to its past period of “national pride.” Unfortunately, it has led to a government of criminal connections and corruption. How does a politician become as wealthy as Putin and his many “colleagues” have in the past ten years? He and his cronies are “raping” the resources that belong to the people of Russia. Does he really want a war with the west? No, of course not, but he must display strength and bravado so that the people will believe that he works in their best interests.
There are two directions that the west can go in dealing with Putin. One choice is to continue to punish Putin's cronies and slowly isolate the country, prevent it from sharing in the “culture and consumerism” that is the west. Who does that hurt? It hurts the people of Russia, which can only turn them away from the west. It would create a strain that can only lead to military conflict at some point.
The alternative is to do several things. We can and must “draw lines” which cannot be crossed. Announce simply, “the Ukrainian people must be allowed to determine their own government without interference from the outside.” If that means giving weapons to the Ukraine, then we should do just that. We should also station “basically armed” NATO forces in every country whose border adjoins Russia. Should Russia attempt to cross those borders, immediate but limited military action must be taken. At the same time, we must increase our contact with the Russian people themselves, show them that we are their friends even though we have strong differences with their current leaders. Building businesses, sharing progress, enjoying social interactions through the internet and athletics, sharing medical treatments, working together through our shared Space efforts, and supporting them without interfering in their political activiites is the best way to keep a friendly bond between our two peoples.
At some point, the Russian people will fix their corrupted governmental system, but we can't do it for them. We can only strive to maintain a good relationship with the people of Russia. Governments come and go, but people must trust and respect one another.
Robert Butler
P.O. Box 193
Marmaduke, AR 72443
