As Americans contemplate the situation in Ukraine (and a few other places), its worth keeping several things in mind. First, the United States is extraordinarily secure, and most of what happens in most parts of the world wont have much impact on U.S. security or prosperity. Thats not an argument for isolationism; its merely a reminder that others need the United States a lot more than it needs them. Its easy to understand why Ukraine wants to jump in bed with the European Union and NATO; what is not so obvious is why sharing the covers and pillows with Ukraine is something we should want to do. A country with a bankrupt economy, modest natural resources, sharp ethnic divisions, and a notoriously corrupt political system is normally not seen as a major strategic asset. Furthermore, the fact that U.S. courtship of Ukraine happens to make Russian President Vladimir Putin angry is not a good argument for embracing Kiev either -- simply put, Russia is the more important country. And a long-term squabble isnt in Washingtons or Moscows long-term interest. Meanwhile, Americas real, future security challenges will come from China, not Russia. No doubt more than a few strategists in Beijing are quietly smiling as they watch Washington get discomfited by another self-inflicted distraction. **************
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 02:34:22 +0000
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