Ukraine As a NATO Member State Could Have Meant Instant American-Russian War
Doug Bandow has an interesting commentary at the Cato Institute’s website, “Europeans Watch Ukraine and Fear Russia: They Should Take over NATO And Europe’s Defense”.
“Had the U.S. been so foolish as to bring Ukraine into NATO, Washington would have a treaty responsibility to start World War III. Today’s game of geopolitical chicken might have a nuclear end.”
It’s these kinds of treaties which President Washington warned us about in his farewell address. In fact, Washington, (arguably one of the greatest military generals in history), even was so kind to us to name the exact continent we should be careful to avoid making foolish treaty obligations with! According to Washington:
“Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?”
It is treaties like NATO which will obligate our foolish government leaders into involving us unnecessarily in local skirmishes on the other side of the globe.
Ukraine matters a great deal to Europe, to European security, and to the European economy. How about the Europeans take this as a lesson-learned that many of them are unprepared for defending themselves from foreign aggression?
Furthermore, why do American neo-conservatives insist inducting Ukraine and others into NATO? Why do “fiscal conservatives” insist a fiscally bankrupt United States obligate our military to defending a largely rich, first-world continent? Isn’t America able to play a prominent role in advocating for freedom and liberty around the world, without being the world’s policemen?
“Ukraine matters more to Europe, but mostly for economic rather than security reasons. In fact, the November demonstrations in Kiev were triggered by Yanukovich’s decision to place on hold an economic association agreement with the European Union. However, EU membership was not in the offing. And Kiev’s financial and political difficulties greatly limit its economic potential.
The Europeans don’t have much of a military option because they don’t have much of a military. Since the formation of NATO the continent has largely left its security in America’s hands. ”
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