#6005
#6
From: John Danzer (Telos4@aol.com)
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002
Subject: GETTING RID OF NATO
Russia needs to do the world a favor and collapse NATO. The argument can be made that NATO is just as much a relic of the cold war as the ABM treaty. As long as NATO exists Russia is a delinquent on probation.
Putin had two rational requests.
1. Negotiate a way for the ABM treaty to accommodate the security needs of the US,Russia and the world.
2. Stop the expansion of NATO into lands bordering on Russia.
In the tit for tat world of negotiations, reciprocation ought to be made to those who take risks and show initiative. Putin has cooperated with the US in the fight against terrorism. Additionally he has pulled out of Cuba and Viet Nam. Putin has also made a strong argument against a missile shield as a defense against rogue states and terrorists organizations. Putin went out on a limb and received nothing in return. His reward was Bush's unilateral withdrawal from the ABM treaty.
Putin doesn't have the political capital to lose on NATO expansion. Even though the Soviet Union Withdrew from Eastern Europe over 10 years ago NATO remains. It is a military organization and Russia sees it moving to its borders. Putin is being left with no other alternative than to call NATO's bluff. At some point Russia has to prove to NATO that NATO has lost the will to defend its new members. If Russia invades the Baltics before or even shortly after they become members of NATO it is hard to believe that NATO will react militarily. The purpose of such a strategy would not be imperialistic but simply a demonstration that NATO has outlived its usefulness. Russia would withdraw when NATO backs down.
NATO has been a useful saddle for the US to ride Europe. Europe would gladly rid themselves of this burden when it sees that it can no longer give protection to all of its members.
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