\n\n“Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine has made Sen. Mitt Romney winner of the latest \u201cstrange new respect\u201d award. When running for president in 2012 Romney insisted that Russia was \u201cwithout question our number one geopolitical foe.\u201d He\u2019s being held up as a geopolitical prophet even though he was ostentatiously wrong then and remains wrong today.”
…
“Despite Moscow\u2019s unhappiness with US policy, only in Georgia had Moscow responded violently toward a military threat. And that appeared to be a one\u2010off event. The Putin government did little to obstruct Washington\u2019s imperious, incompetent interventions despite Putin\u2019s 2007 criticism. And the two countries were nowhere at existential odds. Indeed, cooperation even seemed possible on regional issues, such as addressing the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nor had the Russian army performed particularly well in Georgia, exhibiting \u201cstructural and technological weaknesses,\u201d according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. IISS also noted that \u201cthe Ministry of Defense and the General Staff remain on the whole reluctant to reform and modernize.\u201d The Putin government sought to reform its armed forces, but the process was nowhere near complete by 2012. Prior to the US election IISS noted that despite claims modernization objectives had been largely achieved, \u201cthe reforms have not always run smoothly.\u201d In particle, \u201cpersonnel issues continue to bedevil the modernization process.\u201d Finally, \u201cmodernizing the equipment used by military personnel is another challenge.\u201d Although the Russian armed forces were improving, they did not threaten the US in any significant way, nor should they overmatch European capabilities, at least if America\u2019s allies contributed meaningfully to their own defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was nothing that justified calling Russia a geopolitical foe, let alone America\u2019s \u201cnumber one geopolitical foe.\u201d And there probably wouldn\u2019t have been reason to make that argument today absent events of 2014.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Yet even his terrible war on Ukraine doesn\u2019t directly threaten America. At least so long as both Washington and Moscow avoid a clash that could escalate. Putin may grow more reckless having presumably miscalculated in expecting an easy victory. The Biden administration might grow more aggressive in supporting Kyiv to maximize Russia\u2019s distress. Putin\u2019s nuclear alert is a reminder of the global stakes, especially if he feels he has painted himself in a corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, unlike during the Cold War, Moscow and Washington are not playing a winner\u2010take\u2010all ideological game. The US remains vastly stronger militarily and America and Russia still have no essential territorial disputes. Although their objectives sometimes conflict in areas such as the Middle East, that has been exacerbated by the steady deterioration of their relations over the last eight years, which has encouraged Moscow to challenge the US globally. Another unfortunate consequence: The Putin government also has turned to Beijing, but additional American pressure only pushes them closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, Moscow lacks the power to dominate Europe, let alone Eurasia. Europe still should be defended, but it is long past time for the Europeans to take over that responsibility. Indeed, Russia\u2019s attack on Ukraine should be the famed fire bell in the night for Europeans. Already Moscow has unified both NATO and the European Union against his country. He even has provided a demonic figure, not quite as dramatic as Adolf Hitler, but still sufficient to enrage his opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US can be most effective not by rushing more forces to Europe, but rather by calling its allies to account. Washington should make clear that Putin\u2019s criminal aggression has not changed the fact that for America China remains a far more significant challenge. Their security is ultimately their responsibility.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
” Russia\u2019s lawless attack is an atrocity but does not change basic geopolitical reality: Moscow is principally a\u00a0problem for Europe, not America. Since the end of the Cold War Russia stopped being a\u00a0significant geopolitical foe of the US and has not turned into one since. Dealing with the ongoing war still won\u2019t be easy. However, while punishing Russia for its criminal conduct Washington must ensure that neither it nor its alliance partners get drawn in. That could turn a\u00a0limited conflict into a\u00a0nuclear confrontation and a\u00a0world in which no one would be debating geopolitical threats anymore.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n