No, Now Is Not the Time for Another Russia Reset

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The authors and signers of the open letter calling for a “rethink” of America’s Russia policy that was published in Politico Magazine on August 5 include people we know, like and respect. We agree that U.S.-Russia relations are in a poor state. But we disagree strongly about the reasons why and what should be done in response. Our colleagues’ arguments require forceful response.

We are a bipartisan group of former diplomats, military and intelligence professionals, and experts who have worked on Russia issues for decades. We believe firmly that now is not—as the letter’s authors suggest—the time for another reset with Moscow. Rather, the actions and behavior of Vladimir Putin’s regime pose a threat to American interests and values, requiring strong pushback.

While the United States is not blameless for the current state of U.S.-Russia relations, the authors fail to make clear that the main responsibility lies with the Putin regime. Since President George H.W. Bush, every American administration has tried to establish good relations with Russia. But since Putin came to power, the Russian side has not reciprocated these overtures in a serious, sustained way. Putin is more interested in portraying the United States as Russia’s greatest enemy—to justify his repressive control at home—than he is in improving bilateral relations.

By arguing that it is the United States and not Russia that needs a “change of our current course,” the authors of the open letter get it exactly backward and give Putin too much leeway to continue his dangerous and reckless behavior.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/no-now-is-not-the-time-for-another-russia-reset/ar-BB17P81H?li=BBnb7Kz

[Nitram]

1. Smacks of appeasement.

[Igel]

2. Doing the same thing that yields bad results

is one (admittedly poor definition) of "insanity."

It was thus years ago. It was a horrible, indefensible mistake then. It's still a mistake.

They're a foe. To say they're not because a domestic adversary says otherwise therefore they're not was purest political idiocy; but that's water under the bridge. To suggest they're not now is to continue the blindness of idiocy.