S.2277 the Russian Aggression Prevention Act of 2014

Sen. Bob Corker

This act, introduced in the Senate by Bob Corker and the Republicans, potentially is going to bring the GOP, if not the country, to a watershed moment in American history.

I am opposed to S.2277 and urge all members of the Senate and House to reject this overt act of interventionist aggression.

As Pat Buchanan writes:

S.2277 would declare Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine ‘major non-NATO allies’ of the United States, move NATO forces into Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, accelerate the building of an ABM system in Eastern Europe, and authorize U.S. intelligence and military aid for Ukraine’s army in the Donbass war with Russian backed separatists.”

Pat continues” S.2277 would direct the secretary of sate to identify efforts to strengthen democratic institutions inside the Russian Federation, e.g. subvert Vladimir Putin’s government, looking toward regime change.

If Putin has not vacated Crimea and terminated support for Ukraine’s separatist rebels within seven days of passage of the Corker Ultimatum, sweeping sanctions would be imposed on Russian officials, banks and energy companies, including Gazprom. Economic relations between us would be virtually severed.

Where to even start responding to what can only be looked at as an ill-advised reactionary tantrum? A measured, thoughtful approach to forming a position to take on S.2277 starts with careful consideration of the original Weinberger/Powell Doctrine and its five essential elements.

Is support for S.2277 justified by each of the five essential elements of W/P? I rate the scorecard from W/P as zero for five. And I would be interested in hearing Senator Corker’s detailed response as to why he might draw exactly the opposing view.

At such a watershed moment in U.S. history, a reading of the Cato Institute’s Chris Preble’s The Power Problem is an eye opener for all Americans who believe they are being sold a bill of goods by the neocon/interventionists, but are not exactly sure how to respond and fight back.

If Republicans are looking for a solid way to kill their chances to take back the Senate this fall, then support for S.2277 is just the ticket.

Read Part II here.