US-Russia relations are seemingly always on the cusp of a new post-Cold
War low, and with many of the traditional channels of communication
already severed, the US has generally responded to every new strain by
cutting ties even further. Diplomats are expelled, talks are canceled,
and the two sides are further isolated from one another.
US Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrrotti, the top NATO commander in Europe,
warns that this is a mistake. Scaparrotti says he believes communication
is a key part of deterrence and that in that way the US “should have more communication with Russia.”
It isn’t that the general doesn’t understand the desire to keep Russia
at arm’s length. He conceded that it “doesn’t have to be a lot” of
increased communication. He said, however, that the two sides need to
understand each other better, and why they are each doing what they’re
doing.
This argument will be tough to sell to politicians for whom the idea
that Russia can be understood is near blasphemy. To the general,
however, having basic information about the general intentions of both
sides greatly reduces the chances of the two sides blundering heedlessly
into a calamitous war.
Top US General Wants More Communication With Russia
Says communication is 'a very important part of deterrence'
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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