AFP - German Chancellor Merkel shakes hands with Georgian President Saakashvili during a visit to Tblisi. Merkel has said that the ex-Soviet republic -- currently mired in conflict with Russia -- will join NATO.
Could this have been one of the few times where Russia got caught playing checkers, rather than chess?
I find it funny that Russia has fast tracked exactly what they didn’t want by this act of theirs.
I hope this means that Europe is ready to stand up to them. Given the two conservative leaders in Germany and France, this is good. A few years ago, this would have gotten a much different result.
Also need to admit the Ukraine. Putin will be invading the Ukraine next.
He obviously plans on taking back all the countries that became free of Russia after Ronald Reagan ended the cold war.
Finally, something useful out of Berlin.
I get the feeling that this is like France and England guaranteeing to come to Poland’s aid back in the ‘30s.
What is the shape of NATO?
Could Germany, France, and others pull together a viable military force and insert it into Georgia in a matter of hours?
I believe Iraq is not a NATO operation and Afghanistan is a very small NATO operation.
Does NATO leadership believe they need UN permission to respond militarily?
Europe gets a backbone.
They tried doing it the old way, with Sarko’s deal. And Russia spat in Europe’s face.
Russia, ironically, may have just strengthened NATO, rather than hurting it.
“Georgia will become a member of NATO if it wants to; and it does want to.”
- - -
It seems to me that current German Chancellor Angela Merkel
found it necessary to (or perhaps was chosen to)
be the one to make this statement at this time in order to counter the statements
that were made yesterday by former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
when he (in defense of his russian employers) said that the current hostilities
came as a result of Georgia provoking Russia.
The only problem is NATO without us (and we are truly stretched at the moment) cannot even protect itself. They have no capability to project power into areas which will soon beocme threatened (Ukraine, Moldova,the Baltic states). Its time for some European gut checks right now.
Elections have consequences. Herr Schroeder is in the pocket of the Ruskies.
This thread reminded me of a really wonderful moment that is now sadly history.
For those of the 80’s, you will appreciate the beauty of the German band The Scorpions singing “Winds of Change” in the Red Square.
The most tearful performance of a German band who fought communism and was able to combine with the Russian orchestra to sing their song in Moscow. The Cold War was supposed to be over.
Just thought some of you would appreciate this and it brought tears to my eyes. The optimism I held is over as of 08/08/08.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxobuyB4H38&feature=related.
I follow the Moskva
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
An August summer night
Soldiers passing by
Listening to the wind of change
The world is closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future’s in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change
Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past forever
I folow the Moskva
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change
The wind of change
Blows straight into the face of time
Like a stormwind that will ring the freedom bell
For peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing
What my guitar wants to say
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change
Good. SHould have happened weeks ago. Now the rest of them.
ping
Great.
Let’s discuss the details promptly and soon. Let’s not wait.
Great.
Let’s discuss the details promptly and soon. Let’s not wait.
Cool!
This is nothing new. NATO already said Ukraine and Georgia can both join, they just didn’t say when, so it’s kind of meaningless. Merkel is treading water.