A Discussion About the Escalating Conflict Between Georgia and Russia

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In The Media

A Discussion About the Escalating Conflict Between Georgia and Russia

Despite President Bush's condemnation of Russia's continued attacks on Georgia, the international community has yet to form a united response to the crisis. Western powers must make it clear that Russia will pay a high price for its actions through political and economic sanctions and possible suspension of the NATO-Russia relationship.

By Robert Kagan and Stephen Sestanovich

Published on Aug 11, 2008

Source: PBS's Charlie Rose

Despite President Bush's condemnation of Russia's continued attacks on Georgia, the international community has yet to form a united response to the crisis. Carnegie’s Robert Kagan and Stephen Sestanovich of the Council on Foreign Relations, interviewed together on PBS’s Charlie Rose, agree that the United States and Europe must form a common strategy to influence Russia’s actions regarding Georgia.

Calling for “very serious transatlantic unity,” Kagan emphasizes that Western powers must make it clear that Russia will pay a high price for its actions through political and economic sanctions. He suggests reconsidering Russia’s position with regards to international institutions, including possible suspension of the NATO-Russia relationship, while recommending that Georgia and Ukraine be privileged with accelerated NATO membership. Looking ahead, both experts agree that the next U.S. president will have to send a clear message that the U.S. condemns any Russian attempts to re-establish hegemony in Georgia.

Click here to watch the full interview

About the Authors

Robert Kagan

Former Senior Associate

Kagan, author of the recent book, The Return of History and the End of Dreams (Knopf 2008), writes a monthly column on world affairs for the Washington Post and is a contributing editor at both the Weekly Standard and the New Republic.

Stephen Sestanovich

Foreign Policy North America United States Caucasus Russia Western Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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