When Serbia did not collapse immediately under
air attack and the war dragged out, the Russians were asked to negotiate its
end. In return they were promised a significant role in managing post-war Kosovo.
That didn't happen; the future of Kosovo became a matter for European and
American decision-making.
Influence is not
something given to a country. It has that influence because of its power,
because the consequences of ignoring its wishes would have unacceptable
consequences. By 1999, Russia had reached the low point of its influence.
It
was logical that a man like Vladimir Putin would emerge. And, it was logical that
Russia would reassert itself on the world stage, especially in the power vacuum
created by the Obama Administration. From his first days in office, it was
clear Mr. Obama meant to change America’s preeminence in world affairs. Examples
are: going on tour to apologize to the World; relinquishing a European
antimissile-system and get nothing in return; leading from
behind in Libya; dismantling your country’s defense budget resulting in
critical reductions in the nation’s defensive capability; and, obfuscating the
severe damage done by the Wikileaks and the Snowden affair.
As Stanford Professor Josef
Joffe recently opined in Monday’s The
Wall Street Journal (August 5, 2013 A13, Col. 1-5), “Exploiting Obama’s
Foreign Policy Retreat:”
“The world is being treated to a first in the
history of great–power politics. Traditionally, the might of nations was hemmed
in by others in an endless game of pressure and counter-pressure. Now, the
reigning superpower is proposing to neutralize itself – no foes needed.”
It
is the failures and cluelessness of American foreign policy under the Clinton, Bush,
and Obama Administrations that have solidified the current situation. Two
decades of incompetence has consequences. As Rev. Wright, Mr. Obama’s trusted
mentor once proffered, “America’s chickens are coming home to roost.”
Mr. Friedman believes “there is
no danger of a military confrontation (with Russia) now.” However, the
only creditable adversary to Russia in Eastern Europe isn’t there anymore.
In
my view, there will be a military confrontation in the Balkans over Kosovo.
And, this time Russia will not have to sit back and allow the West to dictate
the terms of both the engagement and its aftermath. Furthermore, there is a
strong likelihood that this may happen before Obama’s second term in office is
over.
Mr.
Putin and Russia understand Mr. Obama better than the American people. They
know he is a phony, a poser, a weak sister, and lacks the Right Stuff. They know he has
contempt and disdain for American Exceptionalism. They know the American people
will not tolerate another war where their sons and daughters give their lives
for nothing; and where the rules of engagement save enemy lives at the expense
of American.
It
is entirely possible the current rapprochement
between Serbia and Kosovo, shepherded by the clueless Lady Ashton and the
European Union elitists, is a ruse. Why would Serbia give up its raison
d’état (Kosovo) to be a doormat for a bankrupt Union that might crumble,
and eventually dissolve, after the September election in Germany?
Kosovo is the sweet spot to create uncertainty in Eastern Europe and
destabilize the region. The United States under Obama will cave in to any overt
hostilities. If you can’t rescue your own people from a terrorist attack in a
lawless terrorist state (Libya); then should anyone believe that you would come
to the rescue of foreigners?
Indeed, is there a better place to start a war?
Lawrence
S. Schneiderman is an International Consultant and Dr. of Public Policy,
Vanderbilt University. The views expressed are the author’s own
