Over the weekend, some bizarre things happened in connection to Russia’s military invasion of Georgia. There are lots of things to be learned from this weekend’s developments. The biggest lesson to be re-inforced is that we shouldn’t abandon our democratic allies. That’s essentially what President Saakhashvili’s op-ed reminds us of. What’s eye-opening about President Saakhashvilil’s op-ed is the provocative language contained in it. Here’s what I’m talking about:

The Kremlin designed this war. Earlier this year, Russia tried to provoke Georgia by effectively annexing another of our separatist territories, Abkhazia. When we responded with restraint, Moscow brought the fight to South Ossetia.

Ostensibly, this war is about an unresolved separatist conflict. Yet in reality, it is a war about the independence and the future of Georgia. And above all, it is a war over the kind of Europe our children will live in. Let us be frank: This conflict is about the future of freedom in Europe.

No country of the former Soviet Union has made more progress toward consolidating democracy, eradicating corruption and building an independent foreign policy than Georgia. This is precisely what Russia seeks to crush.

This conflict is therefore about our common trans-Atlantic values of liberty and democracy. It is about the right of small nations to live freely and determine their own future. It is about the great power struggles for influence of the 20th century, versus the path of integration and unity defined by the European Union of the 21st. Georgia has made its choice.

Russia has sought to control its former ‘colonies’ throughout Putin’s time in office. Let’s remember how he tried installing a pro-Moscow candidate in the Ukraine through fraud in 2004. The thought of Ukraine having its own foreign policy threatened Putin.

Don’t think that it’s coincidence that Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned during the campaign. But I digress.

Putin’s Russia has sought to control each of the former Soviet bloc countries. It’s obvious that he can’t stand the thought of losing control of those nations.

What’s important now is for the United States, working in concert with the EU and NATO, to exert forceful diplomatic and economic pressure on Russia. Putin must be told in no uncertain terms that their military incursion into Georgia is an act of war that won’t be tolerated.

Another bizarre lesson from this weekend is how quickly Putin switches into propaganda mode, as evidenced by this video:

Russia’s first military action was in South Ossetia. That’s since escalated by Russia’s bombing of Tbilisi, which is far removed from South Ossetia. Putin calling Russia the “true victims” while they’re bombing Tbilisi is insulting and it shouldn’t be tolerated.

Putin is also criticizing the U.S.:

Moscow, 11th August - Vladimir Putin has pointed a finger of blame at the United States. Washington, said the Russian Premier, is trying to intervene in Russian operations in Georgia, transporting Georgian troops to the conflict zone by air. “In fact, some of our partners, far from assisting us, are attempting to impede us: I refer to Georgian soldiers based in Iraq, transferred on board US aircraft directly to the conflict zone”. Around one thousand Georgian troops were deployed in Iraq. Already in the opening hours of the conflict in South Ossetia, Tbilisi called on Washington for assistance in returning them home.

Mr. Putin better get used to the U.S. siding with Georgia. We haven’t sided with military aggressors that invade sovereign nations.

Meanwhile, John McCain is showing who the adult is during this crisis, issuing the following remarks:

What the people of Georgia have accomplished in terms of democratic governance, a Western orientation, and domestic reform is nothing short of remarkable. That makes Russia’s recent actions against the Georgians all the more alarming. In the face of Russian aggression, the very existence of independent Georgia and the survival of its democratically-elected government are at stake.
In recent days Moscow has sent its tanks and troops across the internationally recognized border into the Georgian region of South Ossetia. Statements by Moscow that it was merely aiding the Ossetians are belied by reports of Russian troops in the region of Abkhazia, repeated Russian bombing raids across Georgia, and reports of a de facto Russian naval blockade of the Georgian coast. …

The implications of Russian actions go beyond their threat to the territorial integrity and independence of a democratic Georgia. Russia is using violence against Georgia, in part, to intimidate other neighbors such as Ukraine for choosing to associate with the West and adhering to Western political and economic values. As such, the fate of Georgia should be of grave concern to Americans and all people who welcomed the end of a divided of Europe, and the independence of former Soviet republics. The international response to this crisis will determine how Russia manages its relationships with other neighbors.

We have other important strategic interests at stake in Georgia, especially the continued flow of oil through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which Russia attempted to bomb in recent days; the operation of a critical communication and trade route from Georgia through Azerbaijan and Central Asia; and the integrity and influence of NATO, whose members reaffirmed last April the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Georgia.

NATO’s North Atlantic Council should convene in emergency session to demand a ceasefire and begin discussions on both the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to South Ossetia and the implications for NATO’s future relationship with Russia, a Partnership for Peace nation. NATO’s decision to withhold a Membership Action Plan for Georgia might have been viewed as a green light by Russia for its attacks on Georgia, and I urge the NATO allies to revisit the decision. …
Working with allied partners, the U.S. should immediately consult with the Ukrainian government and other concerned countries on steps to secure their continued independence. This is particularly important as a number of Russian Black Sea fleet vessels currently in Georgian territorial waters are stationed at Russia’s base in the Ukrainian Crimea.

The U.S. should work with Azerbaijan and Turkey, and other interested friends, to develop plans to strengthen the security of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

The best that Sen. Obama has done thus far is to urge restraint on both parties. Not only is it apparent that he isn’t ready to lead; it’s also becoming apparent that he’s too pacifistic to ever be a leader.

Technorati Tags: Georgia, Russia, Putin, Oil Pipeline, Tbilisi, President Bush, John McCain, Foreign Policy, National Security, Republicans, Barack Obama, Democrats, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog