Are we inevitably headed towards war with Russia? Which candidate has addressed this issue realistically?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080901/ap_on_re_eu/russia_georgia;_ylt=AvQGEkjhn8z9hCIhfyriSxADW7oF

Answer 1

We are still somewhat protected by the concept of nuclear peace.  Neither the U.S. nor Russia has any real desire to get into a shooting war because the chance for escalation- and the possibility that the enemy has better first-strike capabilities- is just too dangerous to risk.  However, in order to maintain nuclear credibility, both nations must occasionally act in dangerous and/or stupid ways.  Bush/Cheney, like Nixon/Kissinger, makes for a perfect wild card.  McCain would be the better choice for keeping the Russians terrified of the possibility of nuclear war.  Obama would be the better chance for pulling back from the edge of global annihilation altogether.  Russia would rather be better friends with the U.S.  There is no vast ideological divide any longer.  It's just a matter of national pride.  Russia deserves respect.  It is still a very powerful nation.  As for the possibility of war with Iran?  They'd like to have nuclear peace with us too.  Except, the chance that a truly crazy person will come to power (or is already) in Iran and actually use those weapons is just a little too real.  

Answer 2

McCain.  He's well informed about Eastern Europe (which is Russia's main interest right now) and has visited many times and developed relationships with the dignitaries there.  When the Georgia conflict happened, he immediately came out with steps that should be taken rather than very traditional worthless 'both sides should cease hostilities' statement that Obama issued.  McCain has never trusted Putin since he came into power because he's very knowledgeable on the KGB,

Answer 3

You make a good point.  I doubt if Obama could find Georgia on a map and have an intelligent debate on the subject without being throughly briefed and rehearsing a "change does a body good"-type speech on the matter.  I bet when it comes to making crunch time decisions he would waver and flip flop and fail to deliver.

Hillary could have given you straight talk on this issue and I have confidence that she would be able to handle whatever she had to deal with it as Prez.

McCain probably knows more than Obama about Russian politics and the Georgia situation.  I doubt he could formulate a strategy though without a lot of help.  My instincts say that he probably would quite willingly go to war.  It seems most Republican presidents want a war in their presidency.  Just an observation.    

Answer 4

I think that Obama's pick of Biden came as a result of the issue of Russia/Georgia/South Osetia.  Biden, as the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is very well versed on the international political climate and that includes Russia.

from wikipedia:

Biden is a long-time member and current chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In 1997, he became the ranking minority member and chaired the committee from June 2001 through 2003. When Democrats re-took control of the Senate following the 2006 elections, Biden again assumed the top spot on the committee in 2007. His efforts to combat hostilities in the Balkans in the 1990s brought national attention and influenced presidential policy: traveling repeatedly to the region, he made one meeting famous by calling Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic a "war criminal." He consistently argued for lifting the arms embargo, training Bosnian Muslims, investigating war crimes and administering NATO air strikes. Biden's subsequent "lift and strike" resolution was instrumental in convincing President Bill Clinton to use military force in the face of systematic human rights violations. Biden has also called on Libya to release political prisoner Fathi Eljahmi.

Answer 5

Realistically or just give the Russians what they want? Because McCain will handle it with the best form telling the Russians don't you dare or we will use force Obama on the other hand will sit there going please stop and take the use of force off the table meanwhile RUssia is invading Europe and Obama just sit there like an idiot downgrading the military

Answer 6

No, but it does look like a war looking like this could happen. Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania vs Russia. My fathers close friend is involved with government affairs, and he thinks that there is a more likely chance than not a war will occur with Russia and Eastern Europe.