The United States ignores the region’s lived experience—and the tough political and social trade-offs the war has produced—at its peril.
Evan A. Feigenbaum
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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.
Source: PBS's Charlie Rose

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.
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
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.
The United States ignores the region’s lived experience—and the tough political and social trade-offs the war has produced—at its peril.
Evan A. Feigenbaum
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