Is The U.S. Risking War With Russia?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (C) attends a conference at the main operation centre of the Russian armed forces, with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and armed forces Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov (R) in Moscow, June 6, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Michael Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative: Why Risk War With Russia?

Turkey’s decision to shoot down a Russian warplane was a provocative and portentous act.

That Sukhoi Su-24, which the Turks say intruded into their air space, crashed and burned — in Syria. One of the Russian pilots was executed while parachuting to safety. A Russian rescue helicopter was destroyed by rebels using a U.S. TOW missile. A Russian marine was killed.

“A stab in the back by the accomplices of terrorists,” said Vladimir Putin of the first downing of a Russian warplane by a NATO nation in half a century. Putin has a point, as the Russians are bombing rebels in northwest Syria, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda.

As it is impossible to believe Turkish F-16 pilots would fire missiles at a Russian plane without authorization from President Tayyip Recep Erdogan, we must ask: Why did the Turkish autocrat do it?

Why is he risking a clash with Russia?

WNU Editor: Patrick Buchanan raises some valid question such as .... what has been the role of the U.S. in the rising tensions between Russia and Turkey, what specific actions will the U.S. employ in Syria as these tensions escalate, and what are the arrangements/understandings with our allies in the region. And in regards to Ukraine .... is the U.S. sensitive to the deep divisions in that country, and will supporting one side in Kiev (over the Russian Ukrainians in the east) serve U.S. interests in the long term.