September 14, 2004

I'm On Vacation

from - smijer

Yes, I'm laying low, this week. But Thomas N. ain't. Read his answer to the Russian/Chechen problems. The only question, really, is whether enough Chechen people would have enough faith in promises from Vladmir Putin to take the risk.

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Posted by smijer at September 14, 2004 10:15 PM
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The Decadent West gives a pretty good rundown on the history of Chechnya but I must warn you there is some pretty tough language used. It does not bother me but I am sure there are those that would be highly offended. Don't say you were not warned.

The only question, really, is whether enough Chechen people would have enough faith in promises from Vladmir Putin to take the risk.

If you were a Chechen would you?

univar.jpg Posted by Buck on September 14, 2004 10:47 PM
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Thanks for the link -- and good questions. As long as we're discussing the pipedream: Chechens wouldn't need to turn over the whole lot of terrorists at the same time. Give out a few, demand some tangible pullbacks, repeat.

The tragedy may be that there aren't enough Chechens left who are both willing and able to do any of that. Even so, just making the offer might be worth something in public opinion sweepstakes, even to an unreconstructed KGB agent like Putin... maybe.

Another perspective, Thoughts on Beslan, on Chechnya is at Winds of Change.net; it's by Dan Darling.

univar.jpg Posted by Thomas Nephew on September 14, 2004 11:40 PM
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Enjoyed the Thoughts on Beslan by Dan Darling and I thrive on the different angles that exist when many people look at the same problem. The most disturbing sentence was the last one.

negotiations aren't going to end the fighting in the region.

This means that the fighting is not going to end. You either negotiate a solution or you fight. I am not aware of any third way.

The situation in that region is incredibly complex and in my opinion the invasion and occupation of Iraq has only made things exponentially worse. We are neck deep in a fourth generation war using second and third generation tactics.

Terrorists are simply guys with bombs but no Air Force and they currently have the advantage in the war that we find ourselves in.

We are well on our way to a military disaster of unprecedented proportion over there the repercussions of which are going to wind up here. It is not a matter of if. It is a matter of when. We have crossed the Rubicon and even God cannot change the past.

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision.”

univar.jpg Posted by Buck on September 15, 2004 10:19 AM
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