Wesley Clark thinks we need to get tougher

[pscot]

with Putin or face worse problems down the road.

how courageous will Nato be, confronting a renewed Russian threat, if Nato nations today fear to provide information, military advice and assistance to an independent European state of 45 million fighting a defensive battle merely to regain control its own territory. And, yes, it is open warfare in eastern Ukraine now.

The success of this Nato summit will be measured not simply by its declarations of intent to strengthen alliance members in eastern Europe but, perhaps more importantly, by its willingness to provide Ukraine with the diplomatic, economic and, most immediately, military assistance necessary.

True, there is no “military” solution to Ukraine. The only solution is diplomatic: Putin must be persuaded to cease and desist. But, as we are learning, that persuasion requires not only diplomacy and sanctions, but also assisting Ukraine in creating the military means to defeat Russia’s new war strategy.

Information, training, military advice and hardware provided now will likely save thousands of lives and billions of dollars in the future. This is the time to speak the truth about Russian aggression and to act resolutely in aiding Ukraine to halt it.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/31/truth-russia-ukraine-nato-war-eastern-europe

[elleng]

1. Please do not misquote Wes Clark. He said: 'We need to tell the truth about what Russia is doing

in Ukraine.

Nato must face up to the realities of Putin’s war of aggression in eastern Europe – and take material steps to support Ukraine.

As the Ukraine crisis has intensified over the past six months, Russia has been developing a new form of warfare – inserting special forces, provoking, and slowly, deliberately escalating the conflict. Russian actions flout international law and the agreements that have assured stability in the post-cold war world. But warnings and sanctions have thus far failed. The Nato summit in Wales this week offers the best, and perhaps last, opportunity to halt aggression in Europe without major commitments of Nato forces. But to do so requires a deeper understanding of the situation and much more resolute allied action.

First, Vladimir Putin’s actions against Ukraine haven’t been “provoked”. They are part of a long-term plan to recreate a greater Russia by regaining control of Ukraine and other states in the “near abroad”. Russia is not going to admit that it has invaded because to do so might invite a stronger Nato response. But until Nato governments unambiguously label Russian actions “aggression” and “invasion”, they will have difficulty mustering support for the stronger actions that needs to be taken.

Putin is not likely to be dissuaded by stronger sanctions; while they may disrupt some elements of the Russian economy, and he would of course prefer not to face them, he also uses sanctions himself to strengthen his leverage over those sectors most engaged with the west, and to gain sympathy from his own “electorate”.'

And he said much more.

[pscot]

2. I did not misquote Wes Clark

I have great respect for the man.

[elleng]

3. I'm glad you respect him.

As I recall it, your headline initially was not consistent with his expressed point of view. I thought the article might have misstated, as they often do.

[pscot]

4. Clark is certainly right

about NATO readiness. Obama should focus on NATO his last 2 years. Friends are good. Friends who are armed and ready are even better. Let the ME burn itself out.

[elleng]

5. Yes indeed,

and I hope the fact that he's at the NATO event means that POTUS is paying attention to him. It does appear that Clark's point of view is having some influence.