Ukrainian fantasies. . . 


Apparently not content with the bang up job he did as Jimmy Carter's national security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski now advocates sending U.S. airborne troops to eastern Europe so Russia knows . . . what, exactly?

Brzezinski:

. . . Much depends on how clearly the West conveys to the dictator in the Kremlin — a partially comical imitation of Mussolini and a more menacing reminder of Hitler — that NATO cannot be passive if war erupts in Europe. If Ukraine is crushed while the West is simply watching, the new freedom and security in bordering Romania, Poland and the three Baltic republics would also be threatened.

This does not mean that the West, or the United States, should threaten war. But in the first instance, Russia’s unilateral and menacing acts mean the West should promptly recognize the current government of Ukraine as legitimate. Uncertainty regarding its legal status could tempt Putin to repeat his Crimean charade. Second, the West should convey — privately at this stage, so as not to humiliate Russia — that the Ukrainian army can count on immediate and direct Western aid so as to enhance its defensive capabilities. There should be no doubt left in Putin’s mind that an attack on Ukraine would precipitate a prolonged and costly engagement, and Ukrainians should not fear that they would be left in the lurch.

Meanwhile, NATO forces, consistent with the organization’s contingency planning, should be put on alert. High readiness for some immediate airlift to Europe of U.S. airborne units would be politically and militarily meaningful. If the West wants to avoid a conflict, there should be no ambiguity in the Kremlin as to what might be preciptated by further adventurist use of force in the middle of Europe.

Op ed piece in Washington Post.

So let's see if I can understand this. The U.S. (and Europe) have to show they're serious about Russia's attack in the Ukraine by putting troops on alert that they never intend to use, and which they shouldn't use . . . and if Russia brushes away the obsolete and very under-prepared and under-armed Ukraine military, we should help the Ukrainians by giving them money and aid that they will be in no position to use, having already been rolled over by the Russians. And let's avoid embarrassing the Russians all the while.

Brilliant. No wonder the Carter administration achieved so much in foreign affairs and national security.