I hasten to point I’m not in support of isolationism. I’m just reacting to Garry Kasparov’s Wall Street Journal op-ed, arguing that the “free world” should isolate Russia and Iran politically and economically:
In supporting Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe have failed to establish the most basic element of strategic planning—a clearly defined goal.
Abraham Lincoln, a true strategist, began his 1858 “House Divided” speech: “If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it.” Where are we today? We are at war, but one side doesn’t want to admit it. Whither are we tending? In an impossible two directions at once, yearning for a return to the status quo ante of profitable and corrupt dealings with Russia while giving Ukraine just enough support to prevent a Russian victory that would spark a crisis in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
European leaders like Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz act as if they are eager to get back to business as usual with Vladimir Putin’s mafia state. They provide defensive weapons to Ukraine but waver when it comes to arms that would help Ukraine strike back, creating a perpetual cycle of civilian deaths.
The Biden administration is still guided by Obama-era aides and failed Obama-era concepts of constraining American power and allies while indulging American enemies. Supporting Ukraine “for as long as it takes” isn’t a goal. Supporting Israel while telling it not to root out Hamas terrorists isn’t a goal. Supporting Ukraine until it is whole and free is a goal. Promoting long-term peace in Europe and the Middle East by doing everything possible to accelerate the downfall of hostile regimes in Russia and Iran is a goal.
and here’s his peroration:
A war can’t be won by following the rules set in peacetime. The only way to win this long war is through regime change in Moscow and Tehran. Such change will be brought closer by isolating Russia and Iran politically and economically and by halting their foreign aggression.
The aid bill must be a new beginning, not the end. On a recent trip to Washington, I heard from former top-level defense officials about a growing recognition of what is at stake and a willingness to fight for it. Russia has shifted to a permanent war footing, and China is supporting Mr. Putin’s efforts to destabilize the Western world order. The U.S. and Europe must rise to the challenge.
I believe in America and I believe the free world will prevail. Its economic, technological, cultural and military advantages are so great that only self-destructive politics can prevent success. They have already delayed it.
We need goals, a strategy for victory, and bold leadership, starting with the recognition that we are at war and the courage to take political risks to change its course. The future of American democracy—and of the entire free world—depends on it.
My question for Mr. Kasparov is how do we isolate Russia and Iran “politically and economically” without also isolating China, India, and every country trading With Russia or Iran even indirectly? I see no way of accomplishing that other than by isolating ourselves from the rest of the world “politically and economically”. That is the very definition of isolationism.
It isn’t going to happen and, consequently, it’s neither a strategy nor a goal. It’s a fantasy as is orchestrating regime change in Russia and Iran. Don’t construe that as my supporting the regimes in Russia or Iran. I would be happy if they both transmogrified into liberal democratic governments. If those are your goals, propose a reasonable, workable strategy for accomplishing it. Or, alternatively, mitigating the risks those regimes pose in some other way.
Kasparov is fanatically anti-Putin, and he can’t see through the fog of his own hatred. (Gordon Chang is his analogue v.v. China and Xi.) The reality is that the Global Majority does not support any of the US/Europe sanctions against Russia, Iran, or China, and it is the US/Europe that is isolated from the Rest of the World (RoW). Kasparov and the neocons as well as almost all western news media are so benighted and bigoted that they cannot see the reality staring them in the face.
The current reality is that RoW is lining up against US/Europe, mostly via BRICS+. BRICS+ currently consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Over 40 other countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan have expressed interest in joining the forum. (Millei, a CIA asset, has cancelled Argentina’s application.)
The fundamental problem is that the US is an aggressive, expanding, colonial power (the GAE), that will not tolerate any opposition. The Ukraine war was initiated by the US more than 10 years ago in an attempt at regime change in Russia. Putin had expelled the various Wall Street parasites that had effectively stolen much of Russia’s economy, and renationalized it.
By the way, the current Israeli war of genocide against the native Palestinians (Muslim and Christian) has further polarized the RoW’s opposition to US/Europe. Moreover, Russia has reclaimed the old Soviet reputation for anti-colonialism, especially in Africa and Asia.
Yes, I’ve basically stopped reading Gordon Chang’s stuff for that reason. He’s predicted China’s imminent collapse every year for the last 20 years.
I think he needs to look at a map.
Steve
Doomberg today presented what looks like a plan:
https://newsletter.doomberg.com/p/broken-record-81d
That’s a prescription that will never happen.
It does highlight today’s problems pretty well. We’re faced with anti-Russian propaganda and pro-Russian propaganda and very little else. What’s the reality? I have no idea.
Maybe why Gazprom is not doing well?
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/why-ukraine-should-keep-striking-russian-oil-refineries
Steve
Steve’s link illustrates the enormous difference between Ukrainian goals and the goals of their so called partners.
Ukrainians, at least the government in charge, want to survive and drive the Russians back to prewar borders.
Their western partners think that’s fine as long as it doesn’t interfere with climate change goals.
Simpler, they are serious, we are not, which is why Putin smiles.
The article doesnt mention climate goals anywhere that I can find. The specific objection was that it would reduce oil supplies and raise the cost of oil. Which would actually be exactly what you would want if your primary goal was addressing climate change.
Steve