O'HANLON: Don't rush Georgia and Ukraine into NATO

A couple observations about Russia: 1) That country can take one hell of a beating, but always comes back. 2) Its people love their country intensely, and deeply result insults incurred during periods of its history when Russia was down. 3) Given its past history, the Russians, with some justification, have always been fearful of being encircled by hostile powers or by ones that might turn hostile in the future. 4) Appeasement or the appearance thereof is only going to encourage more bellicose behavior from the Russians. These observations should be kept in mind in any Russian policy. The current Administration has needlessly treated Russia as a second-rate nation in decisions such as NATO expansion and in the Kosovo situation. We may have the best of intentions, but, from the Russian point of view, it's all about maintaining a balance of power, being treated with respect, and avoiding being encircled. Expanding NATO the way that we did and the way that's being now proposed borders on reckless. The new Administration has a great chance to rebuild a new Russian policy --- one that both acknowledges that Russia has real concerns, but, at the same time, knows when to stand up to that state when it is bullying its neighbors.

Uncommon sense for a WT columnist. Russia is much more likely to evolve into a mature liberal democracy if she is not constantly challenged by the US and its surrogates. Moreover, our European allies have no intention of getting involved in a war in the Caucasus to assist the authoritorian Georgian regime re-occupy provinces whose inhabitants wish to be part of Russia. The USSR broke up because of the right of its different nationalities to self-determination. The Ossetians want the exact same thing as the Georgians demanded and got from the Russians.

This is a surprising and excellent move by the Bush Administration! We must not appease the re-emerging bear.

It's essential to keep in mind that Georgian President Saakashvili is a ruthless dictator who tortures and beat’s up his opposition, has total and unquestionable media control in his country, and he is the man who imprisons journalist who dared to speak up. Contrary to popular believe, Saakashvili is the most corrupt politician in Georgian history. Can anyone imagine for a second, that people are forced out from their homes just because they leave in desirable locations? Or what about government selling entire Hyde Park in central London to pave the way for property constrictions within? Because that’s exactly what has happened in centre of Tbilisi. It’s a total madness!!! Saakashvili coincidently is a stakeholder in the company that is planning to build new flats! It is completely mindboggling as to how this pathetic little man managed to persuade old established democracies to be on his side during the Russian-Georgian conflict. Now we know that he personally ordered an attack on South Ossetia, murdering hundreds of innocent civilians as a result. The most sensible way to move forward is to cut diplomatic ties with this unhinged and deluded person and stop any kind of funding because it is very clear, ordinary citizens are not benefiting from this projects. He must be shown his place once and for all and eventually to put on trial for the war crimes.

"Alas, two decades into the post-Cold War era, we have not succeeded in this task. To be sure, cynical and ruthless Russian politicians are the primary problem here." How could you succeed while expanding NATO closer and closer to the Russia's borders inspite of promises to stop this process after USSR collapse? Who is "cynical and ruthless" in this case? By the way:"The best Russia policy now is to avoid further unnecessary provocation" is the best acknowledgement that the past and present policy is unnecessary provocative.