You thought I was kidding? I wanted to raise the I.Q. of the collective this morning and ask something that requires a little more critical thinking than something like “why do my farts smell”. Not that I don’t enjoy answering questions like that though.

So, I was reading some news articles this morning as I usually do when I wake up and I came across this and this regarding current politics between U.S. and Russia.

I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on it. I don’t like the situation, we pretty much have to rely on Russia to supply our operations in Afghanistan and this of course means appeasing them, and just what do the Russians want? If things went tits up when they tried getting what they want I wouldn’t put it pass them to cut off our supply lines. So unless the U.S. makes some ridiculously obscene deal with Uzbekistan to reopen its base to us and fall under our influence, we are giving Putin a free ticket to get what he wants. In all honesty I don’t know whats worse, some terrorists in Afghanistan, or Russia acheiving its goals in eastern europe (don’t think for a minute they don’t miss their old empire). I am not trying to imply they want to start rolling tanks into Warsaw again, but they definatly want our influence out, and theirs in. Not that we necessarily need anything from those regions, but lets face it, if its not benefiting us it will benefit them and I am rooting for us.

Anyways I will tell you what I think we should do. I think making an obscene deal with Uzbekistan is the best way to go. And by obscene I mean promise to invest in their economy similiar to how we invested in S. Korea in the 50s. I know we don’t have a lot of cash to go around even for our own country, but lets look at it like this. If we do this we will most likely secure our influence in central asia since Uzbekistan seems to be the major player in that region. Also once Afghanistan gets on its feet it will not be isolated by foreign influence. in addition, we will not have to bargain with Russia on important issues in europe, also when and if both Iraq and Afghanistan get on its feet, you have American influence on both sides of Iran. And Imagine the cost of the consequences if we fail in Afganistan and at warding off Russia. And lastly, I think Uzbekistan is a solid pick as opposed to the other ‘Stans because it is the most influential and successful country in its region.

So, this is where I open the forum to all of you. I want to know what you guys think about all this. Am I alone in seeing the long term dangers in this situation? Do you think I am totally wrong? or do you agree, maybe with some exceptions? I patiently await your well thought out opinions and arguements :)

Topics: politics, reading, political science, foreign policy, Russia, Afghanistan, thinking