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Heritage
Foundation
3 Things That
Don't Make Sense in Putin's World
Amy Payne
March 28, 2014
Russia’s Vladimir Putin took part of a country. So what kind of world
does that mean we’re living in?
It’s a world where we can’t act like we did yesterday. Here are three
things that simply don’t make sense for America to keep doing.
1. Leaving Europe high and dry
The Obama administration canceled a missile defense site in Europe
several years ago and has recently canceled military training with
European allies as well. These are bad moves. It’s no wonder that, as
Heritage experts note, “There is a general view among officials in the
region that the U.S. is relegating its relations with Europe to a lower
priority.”
This is the time to be assuring NATO allies that America stands with
them in the face of aggressors like Putin. This solidarity includes
deploying U.S. assets to the region—assets that might be required to
defend the territorial integrity of NATO countries close to Russia.
2. Letting Russia dominate the regional energy supply
Heritage energy and security experts point out that “Much of Russia’s
power in the region is the result of its control of energy supplies and
distribution systems.” So if Russia decides you’re not a friend
anymore, this is a problem.
Guess who could export more energy to nations like Ukraine? America
could. If Washington would lift the barriers, our country could export
crude oil and natural gas, which would help relieve the pressure on
Russia’s neighbors. Getting more energy to the global market—from
diverse sources—“would diminish the ability of any nation, including
Russia, to use energy as a weapon to impose its will in the future,”
Heritage experts suggest.
3. Reducing American defense capabilities
Under President Obama, America’s military has been on the decline. It’s
long past time to reverse this dangerous trend.
And it’s time to stop reducing America’s nuclear capabilities—and
modernize our weapons systems instead. As Heritage expert Michaela
Dodge says, “The U.S. is projecting weakness by reducing its own
arsenal while Russia builds up its forces.” It’s absurd that “the U.S.
remains the only nuclear weapons state that is not modernizing its
nuclear forces,” as Dodge points out, and it certainly doesn’t make
sense in the current environment.
In a forthcoming paper, Heritage experts spell it out:
In invading Crimea, the Russian regime can no longer be considered a
responsible nation or a suitable partner for the United States in
solving regional and strategic security issues. The U.S. should adopt a
new, long-term strategy that addresses protecting its vital interests
against the irresponsible and illegal actions of Moscow.
Whether or not Putin continues his quest for more land, Washington has
to change its ways.
Read this and other articles at Heritage Foundation
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