Russia, Poland and U.S. Strategy - STRATFOR Insights

STRATFOR : http://www.stratfor.com : In the latest installment of the STRATFOR Insights video series, CEO George Friedman analyzes the upcoming meeting on July 6 between Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama from a geopolitical perspective.

Likely topics on the agenda include Iran, Afghanistan, U.S. ballistic missile defense installations in Poland and Russia's overall sphere of influence.

Category:

News & Politics

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• stratforvideo
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• russia
• poland
• united_states
• usa
• bmd
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• defense
• europe
• iran
• obama
• medvedev
• geopolitics

[someoneinusa]

As a both US and Polish citizen, I can tell you that Poland does NOT considers itself some kind of "buffer zone" or commodity that can be traded off or exchanged by some world powers for favors, the way you see it.

For us Poles it is not about what Americans or Russians want, it is about what we Poles want, and Poles desire is to be a part of Western democratic world because that suites Polish national character, not some vasal state of autocratic Russia...

[arka67]

Reason, that in the last 300 years there was a Polish "problem", was that Poles simply refused any attempts, by so called "powers of the day" like Russia or Germany, to dictate or make Poland a "buffer zone" Poland lost it's independence twice over that issue. Poles will never compromised on the issue of Polish sovereignty ! I suggest everyone to ready anything about Polish History ! you will learn a lot!

[WINNNY22]

maby you heard something about PolishLithuanian Commonwealth ;-)

[someoneinusa]

South East Europe, has nothing to do with USA/EU- Russian relations, is a seperate issue.

Balkans just as its location, is of a marginal importance to Europe. Problem for Europe has been always west- east. tentions. It is primary Russian worry where their "East" Europe ends.

Historically, Polish- Russian border was the fault line between West and East. Russia wants to have a "buffer zone" from west, as in the "cold war" era. The problem is that Poland and Baltics are esentially western.

[kekvirag1]

If America wants a better relationship with Russia and with the European Union, then they have to concentrate to SOUTH EAST EUROPE instead to Noth East Europe. The South East Europen countries (Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary) are ready to bring peace and stability into thier own region and that is what Russia and America need for stregthen their relationship with the EU leadership.

[docholladay2112]

"someoneinusa" brings up a good point. We don't hear much about the Polish viewpoint. If he speaks for the majority of poles, i'd say Barack Obama just pulled the proverbial rug out from under their feet and left them to the "Bears". On behalf of clear thinking Americans everywhere, i believe it was a negative step from global stability and it is infuriating to me. If we learned anything from leaving the Afghans out to dry after the Soviet pullout, we should know the implications here...

[ydefined]

Well, there's a strong point to be made that bush squandered possibly irreversible American prestige and credibility, and lost the goodwill of the rest of the world. What Obama is now dealing with is a world that sees America as having too much power and influence of global hegemony that can wreck havoc under constantly changing leadership instead of the benign superpower that was given deference and the benefit of the doubt during Clinton's diplomatic reign.

[CrackerJackLee]

i like his point about Obama being rebuffed by cuba, germany and iran. everyone blamed Bush, with some reason, but they really had no reason to rebuff a new president with some very good credentials. it goes to show that anti-Americanism eminates from these countries and no one will alter that. it is not caused by the white house as much as by their own desires to rule and dominate within their spheres of influence. and cuba is the big loser for passing up on Obama.

[polygamous1]

a brilliant analysis but personally i don't think the Russians can trade Iran for georgia that will really mean sucrificing God knows how many innocent iranian lives they cannot hand the whole mid east to usa/israel the world bankers i cannot see how a WW3 will in the end be avoided JFK died 10 days after he stated he had plans to abolish the fed res the 1 institution above all others that has ruined american economy the great A Lincon n all decent us presidents us is Not run by american now

[Hirohito83]

agree aout the analysis!

could you tell me more about Fridman? any link or internet source about his works?

thanks in advance