Also, here is a link to an NPR Planet Money piece (audio only) that describes the process of imposing economic sanctions (asset freezes, black lists, it sounds like a House of Cards episode) that is very informative and interesting.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Crimussia?
It's official (as of about a week ago), Crimea has voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia in a move largely criticized by the West as illegal, but there it does not seem that there is much that can be done about it. Should military force be used to drive Russian forces out of Crimea? Do you think the economic sanctions will have any bite and force Russia to withdraw their troops? Does the election (which has largely been viewed as a legitimate reflection of the sentiment in Crimea) justify the secession of Crimea from Ukraine or is Russia illegal imposing on the sovereignty of a foreign nation? Has Putin gone too far? Is America (or the West) not doing enough to stop it? So many questions to consider!! Go to the BBC Europe page (there are plenty of interesting articles on this crisis) to do a little more research and comment on the crisis below, using the questions above as guiding questions (or pose your own!).
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I don't think that military forces should be driven out of Crimea - I think that if Crimea made the conscious decision to welcome Russia that it should be allowed to do so. I don't support Russia's militaristic tactics, I think they are very violent, and sometimes (actually very) repressive at times. But I don't that everything about the United States' policies should be condoned, and I don't think we are the ideal nation. So, I understand the United States view as a world power, but I think the sanctions are in a way, a form of bullying to get our way.
ReplyDeleteI think the election was fair, and does represent a sense of legitimacy. The people of Crimea obviously did not want to be part of the regime anymore, and they should have the right to make those types of decisions, and be held accountable for the results. I don't think America should even intervene - so I guess doing to much. I think that America should focus on promoting better conditions for the countries that actually support its aid, and represent its ideals. Trying to curb Crimea's foreign affairs is a waste of time because America is trying to coerce people who don't want its policies. While the United States largely opposes Russia's lack of free speech, etc. Russia actually offers Crimea some significant benefits. So, we'll see what happens. :)
I think a proactive military stance would have been effective in stopping the Russian takeover of Crimea. If the US had placed troops on the Crimean border (an agreement that both Ukraine and Germany would have supported and supplied additional troops to) Russia would not have risked annexing the region. I doubt we would have has to use the troops, but by bluffing on he borer I doubt Russia would have risked it. The succession may have been fair (although I am inclined to believe that it was Moscow influenced) but it was in no way legal. If Texas decided to vote on succession to Mexico and Mexico placed troops in the region it would not have been stood for, so why is it allowed in this case? Is a Russian region allowed to succeed? Absolutely not, Georgia tried a few years ago and Russia declared it in a state of rebellion before sending in their military to control it. This succession is in no way legal, and obviously sanctions haven't help resolve the issue. A strong military presence alone would have stopped Russia without a single shot having to be fired. It would have showed western determination to stop this annexation, and Russia would not have risked it.
ReplyDeleteCrimea made a decision to become a part of Russia because the country and a majority of its people wanted to. Even if the United States and United Nations are calling the vote illegal, I think that Crimea thinks it's better off joining a larger and more stable state. Colin Freeman compared the situation to Scotland staying in the United Kingdom, staing that "it is by far better to be part of a bigger and stable nation." I don't believe that other countries should invade on Crimea's decision to want to be a part of Russia. Russia cannot ignore the fact that about 100 nations that are part of the UN agreed that the Crimea vote was illegal, however. Western powers are trying their best to put the pressure on Russia. Also, the fact that Russia is holding troops in Crimea probably raised suspicion in other states. There has already been news about suspected warning shots by Russian troops. Any outbreak of violence may lead to war, so both sides will continue to tread carefully.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the discussion of Crimea and Russia the topic of independence has quite often come up. We have said the Crimea must think for itself and learn to be self-sufficient. However, this is not possible if that is not the desires of the people. There is an obvious dependence on Russia, the country which the have strong connection and ethic ties. Now that Crimea has made the legitimate decision to be apart of Russia by way of vote, there can be no other forces, military or political, to stop the process. The people have spoken and decided what they want and there is no turning back. But a question i am posing is: What if this "legitimate" secession from Ukraine and joining of Russia lends negative results; is it okay then for the military to step in?
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