The bad news is further compounded by the entire episode giving Russia the global spotlight it so desperately seeks and covets, and made still worse as it's being done on Russia's terms too. Thus furthering Russia's lustful drive to re-establish the power positioning it lost two decades ago, and a global presence/threat which will be an order of magnitude more challenging to NATO/EU this time around. Think in terms of a chess master saying "check" to an adversary.
There's a reason the Russians are perennial world chess champs. They think strategically and methodically. Evidence here too a well thought out masterful strategy, rather than NATO/EU's shoot from the hip. To bad for NATO/EU that Bobby Fischer is no longer alive and available to consult. Infamous for his stunning and shocking 1972 "Cold War" win over world chess champion, Russian Boris Spassky, he always found a clever way to outthink, escape and avoid ever hearing "check mate" from his Russian opponent.
As part of that clever chess-like Kosovo (UN) strategy, don't exclude Russia's purposeful attempt to appear as "global partners" in endorsing the third round of UN sanctions against Iran. It is anything but (sincerely) supportive. These sanctions are minimal (compared to the first two rounds). While Iran and Russia have very close ties, and Russia balking at previous Iranian sanctions, this third round support by Russia, is a minimal concession to further secure "global good guy status" which will be leveraged by Russia in the coming UN Kosovo fight.
In a Cold War context then, Feb. 17, 2008 may be one of those forever infamous dates in history. To the Kosovoian people, it will be forever remembered as the day they declared independence. For the rest of the world, the birth of Cold War II.
And let's not forget Serbia. It has the added dubious historical distinction of being awarded either direct and/or indirect credit for de-facto launching both World War I and Cold War II.
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Bonus Piece – Kosovo Issue Application to the 2008 Presidential Campaign
And finally, bringing the issue back to these shores and linking in the 2008 Presidential campaign, a final brief related thought, regarding the Balkan crisis.
One wonders if any of the three remaining Presidential candidates, Senators Obama, McCain or Clinton, with all their respective chest pounding foreign policy expertise and awareness braggadocio, have even a sense of Cold War II being thrust upon them. And that the 2008 Presidential election victor will be leading the U.S. during the opening phase of world order changing Cold War II, as did Harry Truman in Cold War I.
The Analyst would argue probably not, as all three candidates appear more interested and consumed with how many babies to kiss in east Texas in the morning and super delegates to woo in the evening, than they do the many global strategic partners now up for grabs, and who require considerably more real love and attention. Too, with none of the candidates having any real "3S" solution – "substantive, sensible and sustainable" plan, for resolving the single dimensional "local" Iraq quagmire, it is really hard to then assume or have any confidence whatsoever they will individually formulate and provide a (sound) multi-dimensional, "global" Cold War II plan/strategy.
Why the doubt? Or rather, what do they each bring to the table? Of the three, and in no particular order, one has a dated, dinosaur Cold War I era mindset, another a fixation on healthcare and the third an enviable smile.
In sum, none of these appear ready to lead and guide the U.S. through the burgeoning, complex and challenging global big picture maze called Cold War II. Heck, none have even so much as uttered the term "Cold War II".
If one wants to talk about "Change" and "Solutions", well here's then a perfect test to step up and demonstrate real results in the court of public opinion to a Big Change (Cold War II), requiring a Big Solution from a Big, Savvy Thinker/Leader.
Perhaps than a question to add to CNN and/or other news media polling might be "in addition to the Economy and Iraq, where would you prioritize Cold War II?". A follow-on second might be "Of the three candidates, who would be best at successfully leading and guiding the U.S. through this challenging new phase of global conflict?".
Note to CNN – On the second polling question, add in a "third party write-in" block, just after "d) none of the above".
The (astute) public opinion jury is ready to listen with ears wide open...and a Missouri attitude.
