To some, China's muscular domination of the Olympic medal table is a powerful allegory of the shifting balance of global power. A far better and more literal testimony to the collapse of the West may be seen in the distinctly weak-kneed response to Russian aggression in Georgia by what is still amusingly called the transatlantic alliance.
Once again, the Europeans, and their friends in the pusillanimous wing of the US Left, have demonstrated that, when it come to those postmodern Olympian sports of synchronized self-loathing, team hand-wringing and lightweight posturing, they know how to sweep gold, silver and bronze.
There's a routine now whenever some unspeakable act of aggression is visited upon us or our allies by murderous fanatics or authoritarian regimes. While the enemy takes a victory lap, we compete in a shameful medley relay of apologetics, defeatism and surrender.
The initial reaction is almost always self-blame and an expression of sympathetic explanation for the aggressor's actions. In the Russian case this week, the conventional wisdom is that Moscow was provoked by the hot-headed President Saakashvili of Georgia. It was really all his fault, we are told.
What's more, the argument goes, the US and Europe had already laid the moral framework for Russia's invasion by our own acts of aggression in the past decade. Vladimir Putin was simply following the example of illegal intervention by the US and its allies in Kosovo and Iraq.
It ought not to be necessary to point out the differences between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and Mr Saakashvili's Georgia, but for those blinded by moral relativism, here goes - Georgia did not invade its neighbours or use chemical weapons on their people. Georgia did not torture and murder hundreds of thousands of its own citizens. Georgia did not defy international demands for a decade and ignore 18 UN Security Council resolutions to come clean about its weapons programmes.
And unlike Iraq under Saddam, Georgia is led by a democratically elected president who has pushed this once dank backwater of the Soviet Union, birthplace of Stalin and Beria, towards liberal democracy and international engagement.
The Kosovo analogy has a more resonant ring of plausibility to it and has been heavily exploited by the Russians in defence of their actions. But it too is specious. It is true that South Ossetia and Abkhazia, like Kosovo within Serbia, are ethnic-minority-majority regions within a state that they dislike. But that's where the parallel ends.
Unlike Serbia, Georgia has not been conducting a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” against the people of these provinces. In the 1990s Serbia had firmly established its aggressive intentions towards its minorities with ugly genocidal wars against Croatia and Bosnia. And in any case the two Georgian enclaves have been patrolled by Russian “peacekeepers” for the past 15 years.
We need to be morally clear about what is going on in Georgia. Perhaps Mr Saakashvili was a little reckless in seeking to stamp out the separatist guerrillas. But to suggest that he somehow got what he deserved is tantamount to saying that a woman who dresses in a miniskirt and high heels and gets drunk in a bar one night is asking to be raped.
If shifting moral blame won't relieve us of our responsibilities then surely defeatism will. Whoever is right or wrong, the critics say, we can't do anything about it. In the past week, the familiar parade of clichés has been rolled out to explain why it is all hopeless. The Russian bear, pumped up by all that oil wealth, is reasserting power in its own backyard. The US and Europe, their energy sapped by endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, can only stand by and watch.
There's something odd about listening to European governments speak about the futility of diplomacy. They are the ones who usually insist that military force alone can achieve little and who say that diplomacy must be given a chance. But now they seem to say that, since we can't stop Russia militarily, there is nothing else we can do.
But we can make life very uncomfortable for Mr Putin. Russia is not the Soviet Union. Its recent (relative) prosperity depends on its continuing integration into the global economy. It sets great store by the recognition that it gains from a seat at the high table with the great powers in the G8. It wants to elevate that status farther by joining the World Trade Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Punitive measures will hurt us too, of course: Russia could cause trouble over Iran and holds an alarmingly large quantity of US official debt. It could play havoc with the West's energy supplies.
The Europeans don't much like the idea of any of this. So this week they demonstrated the same sort of resolve that they showed in the Balkans in the early 1990s, when they stood by as genocide unfolded on their own continent.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, in his capacity as head pro tempore of the EU, came back from a trip to Moscow and Tbilisi, waving a piece of paper and acclaiming peace in our time.
But the one-sided ceasefire that he negotiated was more or less dictated to him by Mr Putin. It not only left the Russian military in place in the disputed enclaves. It allowed them free rein to continue operations inside the rest of Georgia.
That disastrous piece of European diplomacy finally seems to have stirred the US into tougher action. Goaded by John McCain, who has been brilliantly resolute in his measure of Russian intentions over the past few years, the Bush Administration at last dropped its credulous embrace of Mr Putin and upped the ante with direct military assistance to Georgia and threats of tougher diplomatic action.
But we should never forget what Mr Sarkozy and his EU officials got up to this week. There can be no clearer indication of the perils that threaten the West if the EU gets its way and wins more clout in the world.
This, remember, is the same EU that wants to take over foreign and security policy from member states, an institution that is always eager to pump itself up at the expense of democratic institutions in those member states, but which crumbles into puny submission when faced with authoritarian bullying overseas.
It was a great Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympic movement on the famous principle that “the important thing is not winning but taking part”.
The EU today seems to have adapted that slogan to fit its own desired global role - the important thing is taking part and not winning.
"Anthony L, Chelmsford"
Would that we all lived in your black and white world of moral certainty and easy choices
Homer, London,
All this Kow Towing from the EU is due to the fact that the spineless majority has given in to the Schroeder types that would sell their country and principles for a bit of gasmoney. The best investment that the EU govts can make is to build a Giantic tower and transmit : We surrender!
Anthony L, Chelmsford,
Why is the US instigating Eastern Europe, the Baltic states, Ukraine,Georgia, the Central Asian states , to unnecessary precipitate trouble between the US and Russia ?. What is the agenda here ?
All those countries should be non-aligned based on the political model of Finland.
Andy A, Henderson, NV, USA
The West baits the Russian bear. This is Putin's response. Meanwhile the EU bans any truth on the real enemy, militant expansionist Islam, no 'jihad' for them. Maybe a rethink is needed. A war on two fronts finished Hitler. History repeats itself? We must not make the fatal error.
logdon, stockport,
Last time I checked, the US was ahead in the medal count at the Olympics. Anyway good article.
ian, nyc, us
All country's have a bloody past but you can put the blame on America for having a weak EU. If my taxes didn't go to military bases in the rest of the world, those countries would be forced to arm. Hopefully this will force our goverments to invent the next energy source.
NO OIL NO PROBLEM
Tyler, Springfield, USA
Excellent piece. We have heard all of the left wing blather about "equivalence" before.That is how the rocket scientists arrived at the conclusion that Israel is today's NAZI Germany and the Arabs who have sworn to kill it since its birth are the oppressed.Same old.Same old
Paula, Houston, USA
Just watch this Fox News video where 12 year old American girl tells the truth about this conflict.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8XI2Chc6uQ
Also note that youtube is deleting comments about view counter. It is frozen . They don't want the truth in the top. Why nobody wants to know the truth???
Anton, Novosibirsk,
So Mr. Grattan, you are basically saying that talk of a future defense shield creates moral grounds for an invasion in a wholly separate country just to prove a point that you're displeased about a possible future defensive action??--I think you more than proved the Author's point in your statement
dave, saint louis, usa
The goal is peace, not victory. The winners are those not in conflict. The word of God says, "those that forsake the law (of God) praise the wicked." Violence and dethroning governments does not bring peace or solve problems. That is Satan's deception. Governments want peace, work with them.
Marie Devine, Kansas City, MO, United States
I've read many of your articles and I'm glad that u are part of the silent minority of this world who is an unbias, independent thinker who understands the nature of mankind. We can't create heaven on earth, there will always be crime & wars in this world, if u can't defend ur'self talk can't help.
P. Russell, Kingston,
Your cheap EU bashing is a joke. I share your contempt of the pathetically weak-kneed left in most European states, but this has nothing to do with the EU. In the absence of an EU, would these people think differently? Do you really think Putin would be more impressed by any individual Eur. leader?
David, Cambridge, UK
There is no moral equivalence between Russia and the U.S., Georgia and Iraq. But realistic Western diplomats would have grasped that a resurgent Great Power would react to encirclement by a military alliance led by another power. A major regional power with no friends, no allies, on its borders?
Walter, East Hampton, U.S.A.
Gerard, a very nice article. Regarding the EU's "weakness" in this issue, it was none other than Putin's Russia who firmly planted that flag. Henry Kissinger pointed out that the EU has not been able to implement that social contract that nation states once could.
Robert, Chico, USA
With the EU relying heavily on Russian energy, what did you expect them to do. And just look at Afghanistan,even with UN blessing, it is only the Americans and the British troops putting their lives on the line. The Germans are just watching there, while the French just talk about it.
A Walton, Leicester, England
Excellent article. Once again the rest of the west looks to the United States to step up while unfortunately Europe wrings its hands. Many are quietly hoping for US action, but will never admit as much over coffee and pastries where bashing the US for everything is currently in vogue.
Percipio, CA, USA
"Georgia did not... murder... its own citizens" - Mr. Baker, Georgians declare they want to live with Ossetians and Abkhazians in a single state. So, Georgians consider them as citizens. But what about Georgian artillery, tanks, and foul soldiers killing 1000's of civilinans during their agression?
Yan, Moscow, Russia
I heard one superior Labour Minister confidently assert that only a political solution would resolve the matter - that armed force was not enough. I think a lot of T-80 tanks have given Russia all the 'political solution' she requires.
EU 'soft power' looks positively blaumange-like.
Mark, Berkhamsted,
You're right, comparisons with Serbia and Iraq are irrelevant. Georgia attacked South Ossetia in force and with heavy weapons. Expecting Russia to do nothing was stupid; expecting NATO to go to war with Russia, lunatic. Georgians themselves say as much, and would happily string-up Saakashvili.
Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.
Amazed to hear Baker refer to Europeans and "their" friends, "their" energy etc. Last I heard, Britain was part of Europe ... And what constructive ideas / strong initiatives has the British government been taking in this crisis ? Also the US
immediately backed the Sarkozy / EU ceasefire agreement
susan durst, france,
excellent article!
Elizabeth, Los Angeles , USA
You got one thing wrong in text. Georgia did attacked and killed people in South Ossetia. Thus it has, like Saddam, attacked and killed its citizens. And it doesn't matter if those cittizens are rebelious. They are sitll it's citizens. And every murder is a crime if not in self defense.
John, Utrecht, Netherlands
The Bush administration wants access to the Georgian pipeline - Georgia wants ally against Russia. Questions: 1) How will Russia view our training of Georgian military? 2) Do you have a consensus [approval] from the American people for your policies here & in Iraq? America is a Republic.
Michelle, Los Angeles,
Maybe...
But what do you suggest, Mr Baker?
Peter, Berlin, Germany
True - but I imagine the Georgian military invasion is Putin's response to America's decision to put missiles in Russia's backyard (Poland). It's a warning, to both President Bush and Poland, that badly thought-out strategy can reap its own reward.
H. Grattan, Johannesburg, South Africa
Putin is a small man. He cannot help punishing georgians and does not realize that the longer he stays the weaker his arguments get.
He beat Georgia. Any adult would beat a kid? And if the kid's parents don't hit back but find more civilized way to punish a childbeater does this mean they lost?
Irina, Toronto, Canada
This articles author shows just the attitudes that got us in this mess. It is the US constant provoking of Russia that has caused this crisis, together with extreme strategical blunders. To talk about EU as the problem is way off target. Sarkozy and his colleagues did what was possible. What did US?
Fredrik Kihlberg, Ronneby, Sweden
What a good article. It is strange how history repeats itself and people do not see it. But I think that it is only the problem of knowledge that makes people draw the parallels between different things. I think that if all info you have about the issue is basics then you can't see the differences.
Paul, Tallinn, Estonia
Has our great leader Gordon Brown had anything to say on this crisis yet? No didn't think so. The EU's becoming irrelevant to global events, and within the EU, Britain under Brown is becoming invisible.
Simon , London, UK
Gerard,
get the UK out of EU and get together with the world saviour.
Achille, Alicante,
well said sir,
I am happily surprised by the reactions in the UK press. It seems the abolition of Britain is overstated.
trey, Fairfax, USA
The Americans pushed Saakashvili into this, but the Russians have been playing their hand very well.
It looks like the War on Terror has outlived its usefulness for the American industrial-military complex, and a new Cold War is the answer to weakening American hegemony. Will it work this time?
Bryon, Washington DC, USA
Does anyone realize that Georgia was the aggressor in S. Ossetia? Does anyone care? The administration of my own country (that I really don't even recognize any more after the last 7 1/2 years) says it is "immaterial" who started it. Of course Russia would take advantage of the situation.
Gwen, Veyo, U.S.
After looking at the arguing and name calling on this thread, I am reminded of one thing: There is not a country on the face of this earth that is a saint. Not Russia, not Georgia, not the US, not the UK, any part of the EU, China, Japan, etc. There is not one who is a saint. Tom
Tom L., Herndon, VA, USA
Russia controls how Europe gets its energy.Without energy policy independent of Russia one can only dream of a Europe with a backbone.All of this will of course make the US wealthy as Europe wakes up and takes inventory of the new reality.The party hats have been distributed at U.S. weapons inc.
borneu, sewrlaka, zaire
We Europeans are now caught in the Russian trap. Without Russian energy, Europe would collapse within weeks. Russians are buying our leading politicians, like the former German Chancellor Schroeder. Romano Prodi has just declined Gazprom's job offering. I'm afraid we will do as we're said...
Gordon, Cologne, Germany
When all is said and done, all roads eventually lead to Israel. Russia's move in Georgia is just one more piece strategically placed on the gameboard.
REH, Texas, USA
Cirep,
It only takes 27 sets of athletes to do it. How many medals woudl you Euroweenies have if the US sent a contingent for every state in the Union? I sense an incredible, unjustified sense of self-esteem.
Daniel Stiles, Phoenix, usa
Quite interesting to see the difference of perspective between European and UK/US media: We really are a world apart.
Poor good old Britain: Washington calls the shots and London duly follows the orders..
Patrick, Zurich,
With all the propaganda it's tough to know what the truth is ("fog of war"). This will have repercussions for Europe and US for years to come. Oil is the reason. That's why Americans are sick of Congress blocking oil exploration. I hope Europe can disentangle from its dependence on Russian oil.
Deborah Durkee, Marietta, GA, USA
Mr Baker is always one sided as always. He fails to take into account the Russian resolution which was tabled but vetod by the US and UK, Which would have brought about a safer resolution to this situation. Looks like Americas meddling as usual, to get its defence system against Russia.
darren, London, UK
This is a great article. Old Europe has become a Conglomerate of Pansies. And Nicolas Sarkozy is a modern day Nevil Chamberlin.
Walliat, Pitsburg, USA
Some self-blame is Ok, for lack of tact as for years while NATO kept expanding Russia twitched nervously.
Hermann Burchard, Stillwater , Oklahoma
Mr Baker, don't be so hypocritical - an "unspeakable act of agression" seeking to put an end to a leader's genocidal attack on his own citizens? better to leave them all to die, right? I'm no fan of Russia or Russians but at least I have a sense of objectivity left.
Marco, KrakOw, Poland
Russia can be essentially destroyed without firing a single shot. They are far more dependent on the West than we are on them. If we close them out of our markets, boycott their products and seize their assets, we win, and win quickly.
Nick, St. Louis, USA
It has to be realized that there is a shift of real power for many reasons back in the Euroasean continent and in the European theater the main players are evolving to be Russia, Germany and France in that order. The UK is becoming a peripheral country within the European Union and is a weak country
George, New York, USA
The EU member countries have more Olympic medals to date than China or the USA. Weak-kneed and defeatist? Not us mate.
Cirep G Nol, London,
Well said: "Perhaps Mr Saakashvili was a little reckless ..."
It is about him proclaiming ceasefire on Thursday afternoon, and starting shelling and bombing Tskhinvali next night, killing hundreds of civilians and 10 peacekeepers in less then a day.
No use of saying anything else.
Nick2, Moscow, Russia
"Unlike Serbia, Georgia has not been conducting a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” against the people of these provinces"
100% wrong on both counts. Serbia didn't , Georgia did attempt to repeat the ethnic cleansing we assisted our Croatian allies in in Krajina. What should Russia have done?
neil, glasgow, scotland
Dear author: How come that Saakashvili who bombed a peaceful city and killed app. 1500 civilians, I quote " was a little reckless in seeking to stamp out the separatist guerrillas" , and Russia which responded and killed 176 has comitted, I quote "unspeakable act of aggression" ? Morally clear??
Alex, London,
When Serbia attached the separatists in Kosovo, it was called genocide; but when Georgia did the same in S. Ossetie, it is viewed fine and fair. Where is your sense of justice, Mr Baker?
Mark Lee, Birmingham, UK
Since when have we ever been able to rely on our EU allies.Take out Poland Holland and Denmark and the rest would have difficulty punching their way out of the proverbable wet paper bag.Just look at Iraque and Afghanistan.Q.E.D.
R.Hart, sutton coldfield, U.K.
"When the French under Napoleon tried that, Russians ended up in Paris. When Germans under Hitler tried that, Russians ended up in Berlin. And so did Swedes, Poles, Romanians. Who wants to try next?"
Last time I checked Russian didn't emerged quite successful from the Cold War. Also, Crimean War ?!
Al, Toronto, Canada
I didn't see the US doing anything here. Sarkozy was trying to stop the fighting. Nothing he has done stops the measures like exclusion from the G8 happening. But the US is not actually suggesting this.
The US is the largest oil consumer, and thus the largest contributor to Russia's wealth.
Nick, France,
... while your government levels higher and higher taxes, regulations and surveillance at you. If you want ethnic problems, forget the US and just look around you.
Traian, Toronto, CA
nick france
jaw jaw might be better than war war, but if you have the nazis invading the rhineland in 1936 surely its a hint that we might need to defend ourselves. hopefully georgia is the rhineland and not the sudetenland.
j barry berlin- no i mean the Churchill that saved the world.
will, grimsby, uk
How about some fact checking? Re Bosnia:
Serbia cleared of genocide, failed to stop killing", Reuters (February 26, 2007).
And, NATO intentionally bombed civilian ("duel-use") targets.
NATO participation in the dismantling of Serbia is hardly a shining example to hold up to the Russians.
toddvero, Washington DC,
The Russian invasion of Georgia is more like the German invasion of Poland than the US led invasion of Kosovo. The passifist defense of the Russian invasion of Georgia is similar to the passifist defense of the German invasion of Poland.
Rod, Santa Rosa, USA
Nick Moore. Of course 'jaw jaw' is better. Bevan refered to being 'naked in the negotiating chamber' without nuclear arms. Solzhenitsyn praised the West for being like granite. Military strength does not mean a desire for war in a democracy, it means you have a voice in preserving peace.
David, Oxford,
"I wonder what Russia would have thought of another country marching over its borders to interfere.."
When the French under Napoleon tried that, Russians ended up in Paris. When Germans under Hitler tried that, Russians ended up in Berlin. And so did Swedes, Poles, Romanians. Who wants to try next?
Rajiv Ranjan Rawat, Moscow, Russia.
And the most weakest of Europeans have been the spineless Chirac, and Schroeder, excellent article and a good reason why the UK should abandon the European experiment.
Gavin, govan,
Well said Gerard. We must not forget that, historically, appeasement has always lead to war. Not least in 1939, an World War 2, during the first two years of which, the Soviet Union was allied to Nazi Germany. We also must not forget Putin is the product of Soviet ideology.
Peter, London,
Regrettably,one of the most brilliant commentaries I have read in a long time.
Don Acree, ATLANTIC BCH, U.S.A.
The crisis in Georgia has shown the world just how incapable the EU is of dealing with the bully that is Russia. Sarkozy's "shuttle diplomacy" was an embarrassment and a humiliation. We need to remember that it was a strong NATO that kept the peace in Europe since 1949, not the EEC, EC or EU.
Phelim Scallon, London, UK
First the Georgians were wrong (see international press reports for evidence) now Russia has gone too far to show its muscle. It's another ethnic mess and we would achieve nothing by using the stick. It's Russia's back yard and diplomacy is the only way. They know NATO's real areas of interest.
John Cook, Seaford, UK
Jurgen, from St Maixent sur Vie, France, commenting above, gives a typical French response to the situation - "Hands up those willing to fight for Georgia".
I wonder if he would have felt the same way to the Allies response in 1944 to Hitler's occupation of la Belle France?
robert sandall, london, UK
Manny - Russia hasn't killed millions of georgians in the 21st century, but it is early days. They certainly had a good go in the last century.
OS, poole , UK
A weak response? What do you want? To start a third world war because of a pipeline?
George B. and the USA is always quick to start wars which are not on their own doorstep!
As for ethnic problems, didn't white US citizens persecute blacks only a few years ago?
US hypocrites go home!
Peter, Cambridge, UK
Telling Britain that the EU is bad is hardly going to give either more credibility on the international scene.
The USA are happy to ''help'' Europe if they think it will make Russia weaker. Unfortunately, it will be some time yet before the UK realises where its loyalties lie.
Anna, Europe,
I'm stunned some people buy the Russian propaganda! They had their own breakaway region of seperatists, Chechnya, which they put down ruthlessly. I wonder what Russia would have thought of another country marching over its borders to interfere? Their hypocrisy is so blatant its sickening.
Jeongu, Daegu, South Korea
Who is claiming that Georgia killed thousands and tortured those in South Ossetia/ Oh yes, the Russuans and the Seperatists. Evidence? None.
Tim, London,
Well done to all you armchair generals who suggest a military response to Russia´s actions. No doubt you heroes will be the first to go to the front. I´ll make you all a packed lunch.
P,S. Will from Grimsby..do you mean the Churchill who suggested 'solving the Kurdish problem' with mustard gas ?
J. Barry, Berlin, Germany
well Mr Baker, it's so obvious that the massacre perpetrated by the Bush Administration in Iraq on the basis of forged dossiers (where are the WMDs Mr Baker, can you tell us please?) has been a tremendous example of good international behaviour!
Pierre, Paris, France
It's very simple -
Georgia sent military forces against Russian citizens in Osetia. Russia protected its citizens and after all is an aggressor by US standards.
Perhaps, it should have let all these people die the night Olympic Games have started... to keep US happy.
Dmitri, Moscow, Russia
In it's 18 years of questionable independance Georgian political elite (ot whoever there were to substitute it) had broke up 7 wars with the other nations living on their territory (comprised by Stalin btw) with most ruefull consequences to themselves as well. Is it sane?
Mariya, St.Petersburg,
Is it necessary to kill more than 1500 civilians to "stamp out the separatist guerrillas"? What can it be except “ethnic cleansing”?
Bob, NJ, US
So Will says we should double our military budget, I'm sure he will want increased taxes to pay for that. David wants Turkey in the EU with its army of over half a million. Anyone would think they were actively looking for a fight.
Who was it that said 'jaw jaw is better than war war' I forget ?
Nick Moore, StOuen, France
EU and Obama - made for each other BUT, Putin is going to get McCain elected.
Bob Hall, New York, United States
I want to say only one question: a lot of American people don't like George Bush and Co, and don't like their politic games! but they have their in government! What's happen is it democracy? all people in the world see it! But nobody do nothing! Europeans close their eyes! Who help us if not you? do you want to get a new fascism and imposed settlement?
Maria, Kazan, Russian Federation
In all the acres of verbiage I have yet to see anyone explore the "what if" Russia had not reacted. It is clear that the Ossetians would have been killed or expelled from South Ossetia. How would the West have responded? Would Saakashvile still be a "modern democrat" welcome in EU and Nato?
Brian Pocock, Knin, Serbia
Gerard, before stating that Georgia has not been conducting ethnic cleansing one must take time to learn history or, better, to visit the place and talk to the people of Abkhazia and South Osetia. If you did your homework, you would know about the atrocities the Georgians conducted there.
Roman, Moscow, Russia
"since we can't stop Russia militarily" - Eh? Of course we can, it's a question of will.
Even little Georgia nearly stopped the bear.
JonB, Manchester, UK
Mr. Baker, with regard to YOUR moral relativism, Russia did not kill a million Georgian/Iraqi citizens, wound several million more and causes other millions to leave their own country as US/UK did in Iraq.
Manny
Manny Goldstein, London, UK
Hands up all those willing to fight for Georgia .......
Jurgen, St Maixent sur Vie, France
Chamberlain revisits : "Peace in Our Time"
James Wong, Macau,
Unfortunately powers behind Georgia will not stop. They will provoke Russia into conflict with Ukraine. Surprisingly Russia very weak in media sector to deliver its logics to the West. We see both sides TV from Latvia and understand that Russia is right, but who cares.
Andrei, Riga, Latvia
Karajich, Srebrenica - We’ve never dome that during our history. Our hospitality that is our mistake? Ask everyone who’s travelling here ask Russians who is living here even today. I’ ashamed that world is so blind, knowing simply nothing.
Teo, Tbilisi, Georgia
The NATO alliance is weak. The countries within the alliance have become weak. Russia and China have one thing that gives them ultimate power, their own individual culture. Whilst the west is being defeated by the enemy within, Russia and China grow stronger.
Richard, Appeldore, UK
Russia is a part of Europe and Europe needs it as well as its resources. Europe also needs Russian markets. For Russia trade relations with Europe outweigh relations with the US - 100 to 1. US-Russian economic ties are insignificant. We don't need America or American control. Down with the USA.
Roob, St. Petersburg, Russia
No Mike, London. Europe craves peace and that is why it should be prepared for war. Perceived weakness invites opportunism by others to which the response must be either concession or resistance. The world is as it is, not as we would like it to be.
David, Oxford,
You can't seriously class women & children as guerilla separatists, can you Mr Baker?
The Georgian forces were not just shooting at separatist guerillas, they were applying heavy artillery to numerous villages.
How can anyone defend these actions, let alone standby & watch it happen?
Chris, Lancs, England
If America sends in its armed forces to "rescue" Georgia will its new friends in Europe be joining them?
d redwood, london,
The EU should hold an emergency meeting, draw a line between the supporters of Georgia and those who seem to be in Russia's pocket for energy reasons. The US is there for Europe. US, UK, Poland, Ukraine, etc, we need to know whose on board so we can formulate a new strategic policy against Russia
Anthony, Palm Springs, USA
"Perhaps Mr Saakashvili was a little reckless in seeking to stamp out the separatist guerrillas." 1.5-2K South Ossetian civilians killed when the Georgian army entered the region, plus thousands displaced, out of 100K living in the region... "a little reckless"???
Giancarlo, Sevenoaks,
For your(western)Eyes only,from Russia with Love,
Putin proved who is the real James Bond! We need "A" team to neutralise Russia.
Rajni Shah, London, UK
You fail to recognise a simple fact the Europeans need Russia's oil and $$$s to prop up their economies. Equally no mention of Condelezza Rice's visit to Georgia at the beginning of last week the timing of which and the actions which followed now seem suspicious perhaps this what US wanted all along
mustaffa, eastwood notts,
I am a pro european Union leftist, however I agree Russia should be punished for this , their so called justifications for this invasion, what else can you call it?, are utterly specious and in the old tradtions of power politics speak.
Exclude russia from WTO, kick them out of the G8 at least.
Dominic Corby, London,
Reading these comments it seems as if Mussolini was right: every society needs (and is craving for) a war now and then. Europe was peaceful for too long. Lets get back to our old ways and butcher each other in the millions. Great idea.
Mike, London,
Some of you might think that John Rambo was a Hollywood invention. But "Ramboism" has always been a part of Russian mentality.
Forget "proprtional" response to external provocation. Russia's "proportions" are quite different from what 'smaller' countriers remember from their schooldays.
Rajiv Ranjan Rawat, Moscow, Russia.
NATO needs to design and execute a deterrance in E Europe. The time for wishful thinking in denial is over.
Claire, West Palm Beach, USA
"Georgia did not invade its neighbours... Georgia did not torture and murder hundreds of thousands of its own citizens."
Wow! Really?! I thought that's exactly what they've just done.
Karajich, Srebrenica,
The West has still not woken up to the fact that Russia is not a cuddly teddy bear.They should learn from this mauling. The West will continue to be in grave danger if it does not take very urgent steps to develop and diversify their energy sources.This is just a foretaste of things to comem.DANGER.
Brian Musah, Hertford, UK
The author seems to say that the sovereignty of a democratic country is more valuable than that of an autocracy. But who is to decide whether a country is democratic or not? This sort of rhethoric looks more like an American excuse to change unfriendly regimes by military force.
Alexei, Moscow, Russia
" .. the same EU that ... is always eager to pump itself up at the expense of democratic institutions" should read " at the expense of democracy " to be more exact.
WA, Oxfordshire,
It's not defeatism, it's REALISM. Being a democratically elected leader does not give you the right to be geopolitically irresponsible. The simple fact is that Russia is no longer dependent on the West as it was in the 1990s - Mr. Baker should learn a simple expression: "balance of power".
Kevin, London, UK
If the EU is to be taken seriously as a world power it must speed up the accession of Turkey. With an army of over half a million well trained regulars, 400,000 reserves and an air force equipped with US fighters it matches the combined strength of the UK and France.
David, Oxford,
Europe is simply at a place the rest of the world has yet to reach. After centuries of almost constant war Europe became fed up and realised wars cause the misery of many for the benefit of a few. So instead we've created a union to support each other. Too bad the rest of the world isn't there yet.
Stewart, Beijing,
Come on. Ultra-nationalist Saakashvili launched raid to S.O., killing Ossetins on purpose (>1500 civilians murdered). Russia retaliated using precise power to suppress military (<100 civilians casualties).
Of course, Russia is after it's own interests here (who isn't?), but who is aggressor here?
Danila, Kazan, Russia
It is all very well bemoaning the powerlessness and pointlessness of the EU, (I am usually the first to shout about it) but what exactly did our own PM say or do? What did our Foreign Secretary do? IF the EU did next to nothing Britain did even less. Shame on you yet again GB.
Rob, Johannesburg,
I personally don't believe any of them, be they Russians, Americans, French or British. They all look at it as if it were a game and they play the game from a distance as it is safer that way. Those that suffer are the innocent in the field who represent the pieces.
Scott, Bangkok, Thailand
Wow, this is the first time in the past year wherein I have resided in the UK, that I have seen something not ringing of the left-wing liberal sissy snobs, that you usually get from the leftist liberal media here. I love to see truth speek out as it is such a rare commodity these days. Very Good!
Scott, Welwyn Garden City, England/USA
Mr. Gerard Baker , I know you would like the British Empire to take the lead in this issue, but sadly, provided that there is no British Empire nowadays, Britain has two choices: 1) Do what Washington tells it to do 2) Trying to sort this mess out cooperating with other european capitals
Horace, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, EU
Mr Baker. You talk about ethnic cleaninsing done by the Serbs as a reason why they had to be bombed for so song and why they have to be seen as all the evil in the Balkans.
What about the ethnic cleansing done by the Croatians and the Albanians? John Pilger has written an excellent piece on that.
Peggy, Melbourne, Australia
The piece and most responses recall a happier time when nuclear fission had not yet created the first mushroom cloud. The calls for war (only "if necessary" of course) ignore the realities of the age we live in. War between Russia and The West is unlikely to remain conventional for very long.
R. Venkus, Baltimore, USA
Wake-up Old Europe. Americans are tired of your effete ways. ( "Soft Power" my behind) You are toothless and just hope the bad guys eat the little fish before they eat you. Disgusting.
If you don't invest in your own protection lots of Americans will just have done with you.
linda, Seattle, USA
you deserve a pulitzer for that article. and yes sarkozy did look an awful lot like NC, all you needed was an adoring crowd and a piece of paper fluttering in the wind.
has Nicholas soames been warning of the stirring of the russian bare lately? we may well need those great genes very soon.
will, grimsby, uk
Remember how the US reacted at the prospect of Russian missiles close in Cuba? And how do they expect the Russians to react with the prospect of US missiles all around their borders?
Don Quixot, Groningen, The Netherlands
we need to do 3 things immediately
1. double our military budget-let the russians know whatever they have planned wont be easy.
2 invest in new fuel technology, stuff global warming i really dont care, but if we arent reliant on russian fuel they have nothing on us.
3 New Churchill please.
will, grimsby, uk
I agree with your argument—Europe is weak—but not your conclusions. It is the European Union's member states that are weak; the European Union, with its vast aggregated power, would be very strong. A more integrated Europe would be a behemoth, able to force Russia into doing our will.
James Rogers, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Brilliant piece Mr. Baker. It is nice to read news that is void of bias and is very thoughtful. I wish we could get more of this out of the media. Put me down for buying you a steak as well. I'll by the beers to boot.
Frank Inez, Cincinnati, USA
It is an amazing article. Saakashivili only six months ago beat up his opponents, organized fraudulent elections, and had most of his political adverseries exiles. Now, he is a beacon of democracy!
burambi, washington, usa
I have had issues with European defeatism. However, at this point, the mentioned actions would probably have left Russia advancing the Georgians suffering. The cease fire was probably the only way to save lives. The past and future may be a different story, but at this point in time.
David Summers, Menlo Park, CA, USA
There already were two EU armies in european history in case you all forgot. Napoleon's Grand Armee and the Waffen SS. The second one was actually even bigger than an EU army because it included nations not in europe, like the Grand Mufti of Jeruselam's division. EU armies have worked out great
ben, pittsburgh,
Thank you Gerard Baker, for saying so well what dearly needs to be said and showing up so much of the popular 'commentary' for the spineless nihilism it plainly is.
Russia planned this invasion to punish Georgia for flirting with the US - it is a message to the whole of Europe by the local bully.
bruce, Sydney, Australia
Schroder stops being a German chancellor and what does he do? He becomes an executive of a Russian conglomerate. Need we say more?
Kreshnik Bejko, Toronto,
Hear hear. I do think that Georgia did, stupidly, niggle the Russians, thereby playing into the hands of Putin who has been spoiling for a long time for the chance to puff his chest out to what he (correctly) perceives to be the craven West. But that is no excuse for what Russia have done.
Billy Barnett, HK,
Mr. Baker, you're insight is excellent. Let me buy you dinner . The Europeans ( UK excepted) are great at aloofly criticizing others (i.e the U.S.) that do take action but the EU and its members will never be credible until they do more than wring their hands. Send Georgia some aid !
Paul, Saint Paul, USA
First off great peice. Secondly the U.S. and the EU need to do what needs to be done, instead of appeasing Russia to avoid conflict. I don't like war but if thats what it takes to stop Russia it might be needed. Better to fight now to stop a beast before it gets stronger and oil becomes worth more.
Matt Guske, Camarillo, California, U.S.
We in the US wish the EU was strong, but we know it never will be. That's why our military is still there, all these years after the Cold War.
T. J. Cassidy, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.
Extremely perceptive article.
Simon, York, England
I agree Europe is weak, and has shown its weakness once again during the Georgia crisis. But this weakness is not due to the EU, it is rather due to the lack of a strong EU, and a strong European army. Now make no mistake: the US needs Europe and the future will see a strong transatlantic alliance.
Thibault, Paris, France
I think it very admirable of the UK to be the only EU nation to really speak out in support of Georgia while the rest of the EU, especially Germany, seemed almost frightened to death by the Russian aggression and signed over Czechoslavakia *cough* I mean Georgia to the Russians.
Anthony, Palm Springs, USA
Yes, and I can just imagine the laughter that echoed through the Kremlin after Sarkozy had left clutching his piece of paper.
Georgia is a European issue and one that Europe itself should have responded to - immediately and with a resolute show of force not meaningless rhetoric.
Richard Crow , Warsaw, Poland
The old and decrepit ways of the West are so alarmingly
self-defeating. The paradigm of world dominance is no longer a valid one. The West can no longer run around the world as if it is ours without serious repercussions. It is now a different ball game.
William Monaghan, Nogales Arizona, United States
Good article, but why Russians there for 15 years already? It is because in beginning of 90tees Georgia done same thing: just enter into region and was killing many Ossetians. Since that time piecekeeping forces were there (Including Russians, Georgians and Ossetians). 08/08 Georgia starts again
Greg, Riga,
Great Article, the facts are so spot on, fair and accurate that I can hardly believe that they came from a European source!
richard ruiz, costa mesa, USA
We can all be certain that Trotsky's point will come true. "You may not want war, but war want's you".
The European's will be sharply wakened from the gentle peace the USA has given them since WWII.
Fred J Harris, Oak Brook, USA
before mrs thatcher took on the miners she stockpiled coal and was able to outlast the strikers,before we take on the russians we need to stockpile oil and anything else we are dependant on from them..williet
bill, liverpool, uk
A brilliant piece, Gerard. Couldn't agree more. I have been left speechless by the incredible comparisons between the Georgia crisis and the ones in Iraq and Kosovo. I really hope the UK remains independent of the EU when in comes to diplomacy.
Pavel, London,