August 18, 2008

More Fallout from the Bush Doctrine

In response to Russia's retaliatory invasion of Georgia, Republican presidential candidate John McCain is on record for having stated - more than a little ludicrously, in light of his support for the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 - that "In the 21st century nations don't invade other nations." While there are unquestionably differences in the particulars of Georgia and Iraq, just as certainly, the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive invasion has cut the United States' international standing (not to mention its ability to project power) off at the knees, most noticeably now that it is dealing with another country following its arrogant precepts.

Don't think so? Just ask Konstantin Kosachev, head of the Russian parliament's foreign affairs committee, who was asked on Sunday when his country would withdraw from Georgia, and responded thus:
"If I would ask you in response to the same question how fast the American forces can leave Iraq, for example, the answer would be as soon as we have guarantees for peace and security there. The same answer would be toward this situation."

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