Turning Enemies into Friends
Thoughts
I have always believed that you must win over your old enemies before you can resolve issues with new ones.
Most Americans are concerned about the day-to-day actions of such countries as North Korea and Iran but the greater threat to the long-term security is its relationships with “former” enemies.
America must not be side-tracked by these current threats but must focus on developing a mature and stable relationship with Russia and China. Without the friendship and support of these two great powers, America will not be able to solve the current problems with these emerging powers.
North Korea is like a little child that does anything and everything to get the attention of the “adult” authority. North Korea is shaking the nuclear stick not because it wants a nuclear war (which it has always known it can not win) but because it wants recognition from the Super Powers. So far, it has limited support (not long-term support) from China and it has tacit verbal support from Russia. If that relationship would change where the “Big Three Powers” were to act as one in dealing with North Korea, the North Koreans would sit down and negotiate in a sane fashion. The same would happen with Iran.
President Obama is visiting Russia next week and is taking the smart approach of not only meeting with the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev but, even more importantly, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. VladimirPutin is, as most know, the true power broker in modern day Russia.
I believe that although Putin was “put off” by former President George Bush, the relationship can be salvaged and even nurtured by President Obama. Taking it a step further, I, strongly, believe that Putin wants to heal the relationship with the United States. The Russian government has shown that by coming back to NATO and participating in NATO military exercises. It is in the interest of all concerned parties to work together. The key issue is treating Russia and China as equals and building a high level of trust in all matters.
If there is any person that can accomplish that mission it is President Obama. Lets hope that he will have a quality meetings with these heads of Russia and perhaps spread some of that Obama “magic charisma” around to the Russian people.
It is finally time to end the Cold War and move on to face the new realities of the changing world.
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