If folks aren't aware, Joe Biden has published an Op-ed in Financial Times and warns that Russia's actions can cause very real political consequences...
Heck with October surprise, we've got a winner in August. Sarkozy has taken the lead on this, and Condi is on her way, but to what end?
From newsletter sent out to Joe Biden subscribers:
Joe penned an op-ed on Georgia for the second time since April, this one in the Financial Times – just now up on their website. In it, titled "Russia Must Stand Down," he outlines the potential consequences of Russia's actions:
"By acting disproportionately with a full scale attack on Georgia and seeking the ouster of Georgia's democratically elected President Mikheil Saakashvili, Moscow is jeopardizing its standing in Europe and the broader international community – and risking very real practical and political consequences..."
Joe identifies what the next steps need to be for all parties involved and clearly summarizes what we could be facing if things do not change – fast:
"The only hope for preventing this crisis from becoming a calamity for Russia's relationship with the west is for Moscow to immediately ceasefire, pull back its forces and agree to negotiations brokered by the international community – all steps that the Georgian government has agreed to. If the fighting continues, this moment could emerge as a turning point in the west's relationship with Moscow, and deny Russia the international standing it seeks. That is not the future the United States or Europe want – but it is the future Russia may get if it does not stand down and live up to its responsibilities as a force for progress."
Read the full op-ed here.
Once again, Joe and Senator Lugar of Indiana were ahead of the curve on this critical issue. In April, they wrote an op-ed in the Washington Times that highlighted what a crucial region of the world this is. In that piece, "Stand up for Georgia," they said:
"Georgia has done its part by refusing to overreact and continues to seek a diplomatic solution. The time has come for the trans-Atlantic community to show unity and commitment."
As today's events unfold with Russia moving inward into Georgia, President Bush just held a news conference to discuss the U.S. stance on Russia's current actions. In a collective "holding my breath" on this very serious situation, what should the U.S. position be, as Condoleeza Rice heads to Paris to meet with Sarkozy. Better late than never, our leadership is now engaging in seeking a remedy, although my gut tells me this is not going to get better before it gets worse. With 3 of the oil pipelines in Georgia shut down, the economic pinch will start to be felt in the oil market, in addition to confrontations in the waterways. Is anyone else very uneasy???