Nato Expansion

[actsnoblemartin]

your thoughts?

http://dir.yahoo.com/Government/Mil...ic_Treaty_Organization__NATO_/NATO_Expansion/

 

[waltky]

Russia Warns of 'Horrible' Conflict if Georgia Joins NATO...

Russia Warns of 'Horrible' Conflict if Georgia Joins NATO
7 Aug 2018 — An attempt by NATO to incorporate Georgia could trigger a new, "horrible" conflict, Russia's prime minister said.

An attempt by NATO to incorporate the former Soviet republic of Georgia could trigger a new, "horrible" conflict, Russia's prime minister said Tuesday in a stern warning to the West marking 10 years since the Russia-Georgia war. Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the Kommersant daily broadcast by Russian state television that NATO's plans to eventually offer membership to Georgia are "absolutely irresponsible" and a "threat to peace." Medvedev was Russia's president during the August 2008 war, which erupted when Georgian troops tried unsuccessfully to regain control over the Moscow-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia and Russia sent troops that routed the Georgian military in five days of fighting. The Russian army was poised to advance on the Georgian capital, but Medvedev rolled it back, accepting a truce mediated by the European Union.

After the war, Georgia entirely lost control of both South Ossetia and another separatist region, Abkhazia. Russia has strengthened its military presence in both regions and recognized them as independent states, but only a few countries have followed suit. The European Union on Tuesday reiterated its "firm support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders" and lamented the Russian military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In a show of support for Georgia, foreign ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and a Cabinet member from Ukraine, visited Tbilisi Tuesday, urging Russia to withdraw its troops from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. "Nowadays no country can change the borders of another country by force," said Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz.

In this file photo taken on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, Russian soldiers ride atop an armoured vehicle through a street in Tskhinvali, capital of Georgian breakaway enclave of South Ossetia, with a destroyed tank is seen in the foreground.​

Russian-Georgian relations have improved since the war, but the issue of the breakaway regions remains, preventing the full normalization of ties. Medvedev warned that NATO's attempt to embrace Georgia could have catastrophic consequences. "There is an unresolved territorial conflict ... and would they bring such a country into the military alliance?" he said. "Do they understand the possible implications? It could provoke a horrible conflict." Medvedev pointed to Moscow's recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the Russian military bases there, saying that any attempt to change the status quo could lead to "extremely grave consequences." ''I hope that NATO's leadership will be smart enough not to take any steps in that direction," he said.

The Russian prime minister described NATO's eastward expansion as a major security threat to Russia. "Whatever our colleagues from the alliance may say, NATO countries see Russia as a potential enemy," he said. "We can't help getting worried when the circle around our country keeps narrowing as more and more countries join NATO. NATO's expansion clearly poses a threat to the Russian Federation."

Russia Warns of 'Horrible' Conflict if Georgia Joins NATO

 

[JBond]

Couple of thoughts. Why NATO? Well duh... USA. Why is the EU sitting on the sidelines? Duh... USA. The EU did nothing about Crimea. Zero. I'm not sure we should be picking up the bill every time anyone in the world asks us to dinner.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Couple of thoughts. Why NATO? Well duh... USA. Why is the EU sitting on the sidelines? Duh... USA. The EU did nothing about Crimea. Zero. I'm not sure we should be picking up the bill every time anyone in the world asks us to dinner.

I don't think you understand the difference in the EU and NATO for starters.

 

[JBond]

I think you underestimate my understanding. List the EU countries that came to the aid of a struggling neighbor.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I think you underestimate my understanding. List the EU countries that came to the aid of a struggling neighbor.

Was Crimea part of the EU or NATO? How about Ukraine?

 

[JBond]

I get it. Tired of defending the rest of the world. NATO does not need to be expanded. Crimea is a vital port. That is why Russia took it back. My point is, if what happened to Crimea is truly upsetting to the EU, let them deal with it.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

I get it. Tired of defending the rest of the world. NATO does not need to be expanded. Crimea is a vital port. That is why Russia took it back. My point is, if what happened to Crimea is truly upsetting to the EU, let them deal with it.

You apparently still don't understand the difference in NATO and the EU. I suggest you look it up.

 

[JBond]

Sigh...

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Sigh...

Just keep on proving you do not know you are talking about instead of stating what you meant to say.

 

[Confounding]

Crimea is a vital port. That is why Russia took it back.

That and the fact that almost literally everybody in Crimea wanted it to be part of Russia.

 

[Claudette]

If NATO wants to expand, let them pay for it.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

If NATO wants to expand, let them pay for it.

Apparently you do not understand how NATO works. There is no real cost in expanding NATO as the new country commits to expending a percentage of their GDP for defense in exchange for mutual defense. That is why Trump is pissed at some NATO countries for not putting up their fair share.