First, let's dispose of the assertions made by Romney. Obama's 'red line' fiasco in Syria did not embolden Putin to move in Ukraine. The two had nothing to do with each other and without arguing the merits of having one's bluff called, Putin would have invaded Ukraine whether Obama had enforced his red line or not. Furthermore, Putin has given the US the excuse - if it is taken - to coordinate its efforts better in Syria to assure the removal of the Assad regime which would end up with Russia as PNG, the loss of its pathetic docking rights and vaporization of a good deal of arms sales. That is entirely different issue from Ukraine, however. Romney doesn't know what he is talking about.
Second, you've got it wrong about Obama's characterization as a regional power. This was a direct slap in the fact to Putin who is intent on restoring Russia as a world power, including the absorption of or submission by its "near abroad" independent states. The fact is, Russia is nothing but a regional power with nothing to sell except oil and gas. Also, your assertion that Russia is just another capitalist country is flippant and wrong. It is a mafia run state with delusions of grandeur. It can no more be compared to any European country as it could be considered a democratic nation.
Russia is not the number one threat - but its invasion of its neighbor Ukraine in retaliation for the overthrow of its puppet and corrupt president Yanukovich is a direct challenge to the European idea and the safety of people who have no intention of succumbing to the Hitleresque tactics of Putin and his clan.
What is happening, however, is that the illegal war in Iraq has poisoned the well. A people who genuinely want to be part of Europe - who have died to try and join Europe - will be abandoned because of Iraq and the unwillingness of the only country capable of helping them to do what is necessary to prevent the escalation of Russian territorial ambitions. Make no mistake, Russia has not deployed some of its elite armoured and motorized infantry divisions on the border of Ukraine to conduct maneuvers. They have not deployed special forces into Transdneister to protect it from a Moldovan invasion. Quite the reverse. The seizure of Crimea is only the first step and the West's anemic response will result in more people living under the new Nazi's in Moscow. No freedom of speech. No dissent. No arguments. And with the right to protect Russian speakers no matter where they are and adjust borders accordingly. Just ask Georgia.
Obama will do nothing and the EU is powerless. There are steps that could be taken that would bring even the Kremlin up short. But the new Chamberlains will not permit it.
First, let's dispose of the assertions made by Romney. Obama's 'red line' fiasco in Syria did not embolden Putin to move in Ukraine. The two had nothing to do with each other and without arguing the merits of having one's bluff called, Putin would have invaded Ukraine whether Obama had enforced his red line or not. Furthermore, Putin has given the US the excuse - if it is taken - to coordinate its efforts better in Syria to assure the removal of the Assad regime which would end up with Russia as PNG, the loss of its pathetic docking rights and vaporization of a good deal of arms sales. That is entirely different issue from Ukraine, however. Romney doesn't know what he is talking about.
Second, you've got it wrong about Obama's characterization as a regional power. This was a direct slap in the fact to Putin who is intent on restoring Russia as a world power, including the absorption of or submission by its "near abroad" independent states. The fact is, Russia is nothing but a regional power with nothing to sell except oil and gas. Also, your assertion that Russia is just another capitalist country is flippant and wrong. It is a mafia run state with delusions of grandeur. It can no more be compared to any European country as it could be considered a democratic nation.
Russia is not the number one threat - but its invasion of its neighbor Ukraine in retaliation for the overthrow of its puppet and corrupt president Yanukovich is a direct challenge to the European idea and the safety of people who have no intention of succumbing to the Hitleresque tactics of Putin and his clan.
What is happening, however, is that the illegal war in Iraq has poisoned the well. A people who genuinely want to be part of Europe - who have died to try and join Europe - will be abandoned because of Iraq and the unwillingness of the only country capable of helping them to do what is necessary to prevent the escalation of Russian territorial ambitions. Make no mistake, Russia has not deployed some of its elite armoured and motorized infantry divisions on the border of Ukraine to conduct maneuvers. They have not deployed special forces into Transdneister to protect it from a Moldovan invasion. Quite the reverse. The seizure of Crimea is only the first step and the West's anemic response will result in more people living under the new Nazi's in Moscow. No freedom of speech. No dissent. No arguments. And with the right to protect Russian speakers no matter where they are and adjust borders accordingly. Just ask Georgia.
Obama will do nothing and the EU is powerless. There are steps that could be taken that would bring even the Kremlin up short. But the new Chamberlains will not permit it.