US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin © Reuters
Nicholas Borroz, National Interest: Is Russia Really America's Top Security Threat?
Too much focus on Moscow could have deadly results.
Donald Trump just received his latest orders from Vladimir Putin—one could be forgiven for thinking this is what happened after last Saturday’s phone call, given some of the recent headlines: “The Budding Resemblance Between Putin and Trump,” “Trump’s Putin Bromance Is Making Americans Pro-Russian,” and “How Much Does Trump Love Putin?”
The politicization of Russian influence has unfortunately created misperceptions about how and to what extent Russia threatens American interests. The American people must take a moment and ensure they are not fearing Russia more than is necessary. This is important because misperception can have grave consequences: distraction from other more serious threats, limited geostrategic maneuverability and potential future conflict.
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WNU Editor: In Russia I can confidently say that the Kremlin does not fear the U.S. or NATO. There are of course tensions .... Ukraine, Baltics, etc., and U.S. attempts to influence Russian policy through sanctions and the usual political threats .... but as a real security threat .... no. Does Washington see Russia as a top security threat .... some do. Republican senators like McCain and Graham, some Democrats, some in the Pentagon/intel community, the media, etc.. But when I compare the relations of today to what I was experiencing when I was growing up during the Cold War .... we are infinitely in a better place today than where we were then .... it is not even close.
1 comment:
WNU,
Since you "grew up" during the Cold War, your editor comments are actually encouraging. I was very young at that time and don't remember as much about it as I probably should. Furthermore my family was much to busy just trying to survive than to spend much time worrying about this when perhaps we should have been. What you say is encouraging in the sense that it seems quite bad right now.
Now is Russia the greatest "threat?" It is in the sense that a country with thousands of nuclear weapons combined with its vast network of allies can do us more damage than any other country on earth. Is it the greatest "threat" in terms of the country or entity most likely to attack us right now? I would say the answer to that question is no.
I suspect as you seem to suggest in your editor comment. Russia does not fear NATO or the US. They have other more pressing concerns at the moment. As such, it would be prudent not to engage in things that might make them perceive us as a threat. In other words, don't go looking for enemies in places you don't need that you may not be able to defeat and that serve no viable interests of yours.
Good places for us to start would be doing all we can to get sanctions lifted against Russia. While we can do little to nothing about the European ones, we should be able to get the American ones lifted. At this point, POTUS may be able to do some things at the margins to help here. All support for the corrupt government of Ukraine should be withdrawn. Additionally a renegotiation of NATO is in order especially the guarantees involving former Soviet and Eastern Bloc nations. At the very least, it needs to be made clear that they do NOT have a blank check at America's expense to poke Russia in the proverbial eyes.
Taking these very prudent steps has huge upside potential combined with no real downside risks. In short, this a threat that does not seem to need to be. Attempts by DJT to try and improve relations should be applauded and encouraged. Doing so would be hugely to the benefit of pretty much everyone.
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