Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Nuke Advantage Emboldened Putin's Russia

US disarmament partly to blame for Georgia war, says Schoenfeld

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 21, 2008 9:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – Diplomats and pundits have debated what led Russia to attack Georgia so forcefully, pointing to everything from newfound economic strength to a sense of national humiliation. But Gabriel Schoenfeld, editor at neoconservative magazine Commentary, has another explanation: it's Russia's growing nuclear advantage, especially with short-range arms, that has "helped embolden the bear."

As Schoenfeld writes in the Wall Street Journal, while the US has disarmed, Russia has been much slower to eliminate its short-range missiles. Only recently, Vladimir Putin threatened to target Ukraine with nukes if it joined NATO. Watching the war in Georgia, Schoenfeld wonders if George Bush has made a major error by accelerating disarmament: "Given the pugnacious Russia that has suddenly emerged, what is the strategic legacy that he will leave for his successor?"

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Russian soldiers sit atop a tank, with a portrait of PM Vladimir Putin at left in the background, in Tskhinvali, the main city of South Ossetia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. (AP Photo)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is seen at a cabinet meeting in Moscow, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Alexei Nikolsky, Pool)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gestures speaking at a meeting in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

The Russians are acquiring economic and military power, and are not afraid to use force. Even as they abide by various treaties, while we are standing still they are finding ways to develop new and highly advanced ground. - 'Commentary' editor Gabriel Schoenfeld

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

NATO Bars Former Soviet States in Blow to US

Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia blocked

(NEWSER) - In a blow to the US, a divided NATO has refused to permit membership bids by former Soviet states Georgia and the Ukraine. The decision is an indication that Europe is wary of antagonizing an increasingly belligerant Russia, Bloomberg reports. Germany and France led the opposition to membership. In another defeat for American diplomacy, Greece blocked the admission of Macedonia. More»

Hey NATO, Lay Off Russia: Qadaffi

West should stop meddling with nuclear giant: Qaddafi

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama would be wise to harken back to the no-meddling Monroe Doctrine and stop the West’s “addiction to interfering in the affairs of other countries,” Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi writes in the Washington Times. He blames NATO expansion to Russia’s border for moving the nuclear power to beef up its arsenal. “Intimidating Russia threatens the world, again, with nuclear war,” he writes. More»

In China and Russia, a 'Springtime for Autocrats'

Is the Age of Authoritarianism upon us?

(NEWSER) - The autocratic world powers that were crumbling in the late 1980s may yet have their day, and sooner than we think, writes executive editor Bill Keller in the New York Times. As China keeps its stranglehold on free speech despite promises to the IOC, and Russia tests how far it can push the West in Georgia, "It is at least a season: Springtime for autocrats," writes Keller. More»

Obama, Medvedev Sign Off on Nuclear Treaty

Move a step toward repairing US-Russian relations

(AP) - President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed today to sharp cuts in the nuclear arsenals of both nations in the most comprehensive arms control treaty in two decades. "We have turned words into action," Obama declared. He said the pact, to be signed April 8 in Prague, was part of his effort to reset relations with Russia and a step on a path toward "the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." More»

US, Russia Reach Deal on Cutting Nukes

Obama, Medvedev to sign treaty in 2 weeks in Prague

(AP) - The US and Russia will drastically reduce their nuclear arsenals under a historic treaty to be signed next month. After long and trying negotiations, President Obama and Russian President Medvedev are to sign the treaty in two weeks in Prague, once final technical details are worked out. The accord is expected to cut the number of long-range nuclear weapons held by each side to about 1,500, and it raises hopes for further disarmament in the years ahead. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Nuke Advantage Emboldened Putin's Russia