Russia and Europe's testy relationship - Too soon to kiss and make up

Economist | Oct. 16, 2008 (Opinion)

The West needs to keep talking to Russia about many things, notably efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and further reductions in Russia’s and America’s own nuclear arsenals. Yet it would be wrong to heed calls from the likes of Germany, Italy and their allies to start talks now on a new partnership agreement, as if the Georgian war had never happened. The main reason for this is that the troop withdrawal is largely bogus. Full Story »

Posted by Peter Barnett

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3.8

by Peter Barnett - Oct. 16, 2008

The piece points out that Russia is maintaining a strong military presence in the region and implies that the 'troop withdrawal' is a propaganda exercise, which the EU seems to be seduced by.

Russia loathes the idea of living in a US-dominated world and is trying to re-assert its influence in those surrounding countries “where it has privileged ... More »

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3.9

by James Canning - Oct. 17, 2008

The Economist argues that the EU should keep some distance from Russia until Russia fully complies with what the Economist argues is required by the cease-fire in Georgia. At the same time, the newspaper recognizes that the West needs to continue to work with Russia, on reducing nuclear arms (US/Russia) and preventing any Iranian nuclear weapons program.

While the Russians punished Georgian perhaps rather severely, to me there is little doubt but that Georgian started the war, hoping to reintegrate South Ossetia by military force, and then to do the same thing in Abkhazia. This was reckless, and encouraged by the neocons in Washington. In my view, Russia regards itself as part of the west, and it wishes to be given the respect it deserves and to participate in the international community commensurate with its significance on the ... More »

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