Spring Break
Saber rattling will increase American, Russian security
Jonathan Gair
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: OpEd Page
We are not playing chicken with the Russians, and they are not playing hockey against us. What is occurring is a combined sense of international control that will ensure localized conflicts do not spread to the rest of the world. We may not be dense-packing nuclear weapons in search of a new Cold War, but those in Iran and other countries may now think twice about their actions, knowing now that any cruise missile that could come their way may pack a little extra punch, accidentally. And this Russian bomb invention? It is designed, much like our MOAB, to destroy heavily protected installations-much like those that Iran has for its uranium enrichment program.
This is not a new arms race, and this is not a signal that international communication or peaceful problem solving has broken down. These are signs that the U.S. and Russia are trying to solidify their international respect by rattling sabers and flashing guns. Only under this regime of enforced stability can successful dialogue be made successful in any situation, and neither the U.S. nor Russia are in any way going to let this chance for persuasion slip through their fingers.
This is not a new arms race, and this is not a signal that international communication or peaceful problem solving has broken down. These are signs that the U.S. and Russia are trying to solidify their international respect by rattling sabers and flashing guns. Only under this regime of enforced stability can successful dialogue be made successful in any situation, and neither the U.S. nor Russia are in any way going to let this chance for persuasion slip through their fingers.
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