We should be discussing when Russia should be engaged in talks about joining NATO. This issue with Georgia and Ukraine should allow us to understand the nature of those national insecurities. The come from a fear of Russia. They are afraid of Russia because Russia is afraid of the west. What better way to silence that fear than pull them into NATO?

Sounds crazy at first, but Gorbachev suggested it, then Yeltsin, then Putin. They would no longer need western satellites, because they would have the west. They would be less likely to oppose Georgian integration and Ukranian admission because Russia would be next on the list.

NATO has been a tremendous source of peace in Europe and has provided an ability for governments to focus on what works economically rather than relying on strongmen. This ability to put national defence on the second burner would lead to a new focus on democratic dialogue all around the federation. This would also allow a strong NATO presence bordering China in Siberia - dettering the inevitbale land grab. Those resources would be decidedly westernized in advance.

What do you think?