Russian aggression towards Georgia fits the pattern of Germany's prewar tactics
From Prof Richard Pipes. Sir, Peter J. Rooney (Letters, July 17) urges us to abandon the "insignificant statelet" of "tiny Georgia" to Russian aggression because its defence may lead to a military confrontation with Russia. This advice reminds me of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's willingness in the autumn of 1938 to sacrifice "tiny" Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany because it was a "quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing". As it soon turned out, Germany's aggression against Czechoslovakia was a prelude to her invasion of Poland, which unleashed the second world war. Aggressive large powers tend to begin their expansion with "insignificant statelets" in order to test the world's reaction before going after bigger fish. I think Russia's behaviour toward Georgia fits this pattern. It should not be ignored. Richard Pipes, Cambridge, MA 02138, US
Sir, Peter J. Rooney (Letters, July 17) urges us to abandon the "insignificant statelet" of "tiny Georgia" to Russian aggression because its defence may lead to a military confrontation with Russia. This advice reminds me of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's willingness in the autumn of 1938 to sacrifice "tiny" Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany because it was a "quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing".
As it soon turned out, Germany's aggression against Czechoslovakia was a prelude to her invasion of Poland, which unleashed the second world war. Aggressive large powers tend to begin their expansion with "insignificant statelets" in order to test the world's reaction before going after bigger fish. I think Russia's behaviour toward Georgia fits this pattern. It should not be ignored.
Richard Pipes, Cambridge, MA 02138, US
Hat tip to SRB. "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
Aggressive large powers tend to begin their expansion with "insignificant statelets" in order to test the world's reaction before going after bigger fish.
Such as invading Afghanistan, followed by an invasion of Iraq, followed by ... Iran?
- Jake If you only spend 20 minutes of the rest of your life on economics, go spend them here.
Native america? the moon? what's left? "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
