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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO) consists of 26 members: 23 of which are European countries, 2 North American countries, and only 1 Eurasian country; i.e., Turkey. This basic military alliance, states that if an attack should occur from one non NATO country to one of its members, then this attack should be considered an attack against all NATO members. This means that NATO members must unite to defend the attacked member with armed forces, if necessary.
Bush's strong support of Georgia and the Ukraine to become members of NATO is not shared by several of the 25 members, due to the strain this would impose on Russia's relations with Europe. Russia's President Putin has already threatened Ukraine, that if they were to join NATO and to later join in housing installations for America's planned Missile Defense program in Europe, then he would be forced to target short range rockets on Russia's neighbor.
The U.S. Missile Defense installations came about in response to Russia's announcement of their intention to suspend the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe. This treaty, literally called ' The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, or ( CFE) ' had been established during the last years of the Cold War. In short, this treaty mandated set limits on military equipment and demanded the destruction of excess weaponry. However, on July 14, 2007, Russia gave notice of their intention to suspend this treaty; and in August of 2008, Russia announced their intention to suspend ties with NATO.
EU countries, which make up the bulk of NATO's membership, are dependent on Russia for more than 40 percent of their energy supplies. And it is because of this, that NATO is reluctant to accept former Soviet states, Georgia and Ukraine, into its Membership Action Plan. Can Europe risk becoming involved in a new Cold War?
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that " the consequences of the suspension of the CFE are the halting of inspections and verifications of its military sites by NATO countries". But isn't this Iraq all over again? Are possible sanctions placed upon Russia currently being discussed by NATO?
As we already know, our military is thoroughly engaged in a war against terror: which is predominately targeted against Muslim countries. We also know, or we should know, that Russia is a long time enemy of neighboring Afghanistan. US involvement there does not lighten the fury between us, but only adds more fuel to the fire in our international relationship with Russia. Don't forget, that it was the US who did support Afghanistan against Russia in times past.
In summary, Russia is becoming a very 'behind the scenes' threat to former NATO relationships and treaties. Our current war against terror has limited our capabilities to defend former Soviet States from Russian invasion. The European Union is reluctant to support any actions that might further infuriate Russia's economic relationships with European countries. Russia's current suspension of CFE treaties are actions which reflect a possible new Cold War against NATO. Can the US defend themselves from both terrorist harboring countries and Russia; and especially if the EU is reluctant to support the membership of former Soviet states into NATO? Is the US in a position to override diplomacy with the European Union, and continue its support of Georgia and the Ukraine? Is the US in danger of being isolated by NATO, and therefore, becoming very literally "on their own"?
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