Understatement of the year

Lefty economics writer David Crane, in the Chronicle Herald:

In the case of Russia, though, the West, and especially the U.S., has engaged in provocation, humiliating Russia at times of its weakness, and displaying no sensitivity to its own concerns. We have ignored Russia when it raised concerns of its own.

The U.S. has established military bases around different parts of Russia, pushed for anti-ballistic-missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic while ignoring Russian concerns, and worked hard to create tensions on oil and gas between Russia and the oil-rich states of the Caucasus.

In Georgia, whose bloody attack on South Ossetia led to open military conflict with Russia, the U.S. must accept some of the blame.

The Bush administration trained the Georgian military and funded its acquisition of significant military hardware, championed Georgia as a key ally and pushed for Georgia’s membership in NATO, despite strong Russian objections.

[...]

Russia is not blameless in this. But... [emphasis added]

Most sensible observers realize that the conflict between Russia and Georgia has complicated historical roots, and that nearly every party involved must accept some of the blame. That said, it's telling that some people are much more outraged about attempts to keep Russia from invading its neighbours than...Russia invading its neighbours.

Damian P.

Update: Pitchfork Pat really does have a thing for strongmen, doesn't he?

Posted by damian at August 19, 2008 10:38 AM