America Faces DangerousTest by Old Nemesis

The invasion of Georgia by Russia should come as no surprise. Ever since the breakaway from the former Soviet Union by such "satellite" nations as Georgia, Mr. Putin has been waiting for an excuse to "bring the chicks" back into the Russian nest. Do not forget, Mr. Putin was a major player in the old Soviet Union's Secret Police, under whom numerous political atrocities were committed. I don't believe totalitarian leaders change their basic belief system, certainly not a life-long Communist like Putin. And, don't be mislead by his recent stepping down as President of Russia and his assumption of the Prime Minister's role. Nothing but show, folks--Putin is still the man" in Russia.

I believe the timing of the invasion of Georgia was carefully orchestrated by Putin to achieve several objectives. One, he was looking for cover in the court of world opinion (after all, he is no longer the President, and the Russians are merely "helping" a disputed part of Georgia return to "mother" Russia which it did not want to leave in the first place). Of course, the Russians have moved on through the disputed provence of South Ossetia and, at this time, are closing in on the capital of Georgia.

Aside from sending a message to other former members of the USSR, the timing of the invasion was chosen to meet what, I believe, are Mr. Putin's more important objectives and which pose one of the most dangerous threats to America and Western Europe since the days of the "Cold War." First, Mr. Bush is a "lame duck," laden with all the military problems he can say grace over in Iraq and Afganistan and, therefore, less likely to respond militarily. Second, and more important to our future, Putin is using this election year to test the resolve and commitment of the Presidential candidates to oppose aggression. I believe their reaction is likely to play the dominant role in determining whether Putin will continue similar invasions against former USSR members. Interestingly, his invasion also gives American voters an opportunity to make the same "read" of the candidates.

The world continues to be a very dangerous place, with the likes of terrorists, Iran and this resurrection of totalitarian Russia, which still controls thousands of nuclear missiles aimed at American and Western European targets. Sen. Obama has stated his belief that you deal with such threats through negotiations and has stated his objection to continuing to build a missile defense system for America. Sen. McCain, on the other hand, seems to understand (according to his comments about the Russian invasion of Georgia) the admonition of Pres. T. Roosevelt to "walk softly and carry a big stick."

President Reagan understood the necessity of maintaining a military superiority, including a missile defense system (Star Wars). Most historians now credit his approach to bringing down the old USSR by maintaining superior military strength and forcing the Soviets into virtual bankruptcy by trying to keep up with our Capitalist economy. President Reagan would talk to our enemies, but when the Russians wanted him to abandon "Star Wars," he told them to take a flying leap.

If anyone ever doubted the need for our next President to have experience in the areas of defense and foreign affairs, surely this latest incursion on a free people by the Russians should cause them to think twice.