Victor Davis Hanson has an excellent piece on Russia's incursion into Georgia at National Review Online. Like Hanson, I respect the cynical (his word was sinister) brilliance of Moscow's move. I am also a little discouraged by conservatives who seem to think we would have come to Georgia's aid had they been a member of NATO or that we should now admit them. That's an idealistic fantasy beyond reason. Having taken Moscow's bait, Georgia is regrettably not so much a factor in itself. Aid to it may be warranted, but not primarily for Georgia's sake, but for the sake of other countries bordering Russia.
Russia/Putin is a problem. The West has given him a free ride for some time. He has openly practiced assassination of journalists and Democratic political opponents. He runs a kleptocratic state, which is "nationalizing" (in quotes because the new owners are not the state but his friends) key sectors of the economy. Then, of course, there's Chechnya, which has fallen off the radar screen. I actually fell for Putin's line about that conflict being part of the global war on terror. Fool me once. . .
Much like America's conflict with al Qaeda I feel many US leaders are by and large vaguely aware of the way this adversary views the world. That Obama's man, Bill Richardson, called for a UN resolution against Russia is predictable and must only breed fully-warranted contempt for us in Moscow. We must appear to many an unworthy adversary, but like a feel-good movie we always seem to pull it off somehow.
I believe our virtue is our flexibility and the fact a good idea can emanate from just about anywhere in our society and can prevail. Authoritarian societies are top down and hence rely on the strategy and leadership of relatively few. If they get it right, then the country prospers. If they get it wrong, then it withers. America is more resilient. The first submarine (CSA Hunley) to sink an enemy vessel was privately funded and manned. The Higgins boat was discovered by the Marines, not designed by them. Einstein urged Roosevelt to develop nuclear weapons, not the other way around.
Gary Hamel recently wrote a book about this in regards to the Future of Management. He wasn't thinking about countries, but it probably applies more to countries than it does the management of companies.
That America continues to succeed must frustrate its enemies because its political leadership often seems so clearly obtuse as to world political dynamics. Imagine how Putin must delight at the prospect of America hampering itself economically by its quixotic fixation on Global Warming.
Fortunately our strength is not invested in any particular leader. It's the system. By letting go of power, we become more powerful. God, that's beautiful.
But it's hard to believe in because it's hard to see; kind of like God to some people.