Sanctions

[Zam-Zam]

Many here have advocated for economic sanctions against Russia, but none to my knowledge have actually spelled out any what form those sanctions would take. Some info on our economic relationship (or the lack of it) with Russia, and Europe's situation:


The US accounts for only about 1 percent of Russian trade, so the US cannot expect to have significant economic influence. Post-Soviet Russia was beholden to Washington-influenced international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Hill notes, but those days are long over.

On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is a crucial trade partner for Russia and presumably could have much more influence with Moscow by imposing trade sanctions. But perhaps because of those close ties – and the fact that Western Europe depends on Russia for a chunk of its energy needs – Western European leaders have so far sounded a more cautious note than Obama about imposing sanctions.

The EU did issue a statement late Monday warning Moscow that EU-Russia relations would be set back if it did not quickly take steps to reduce tensions and reverse its course in Ukraine. But consultations among the foreign ministers of the 28-nation organization did not produce concrete measures, leaving most Europe analysts concluding that the EU remains wary of attempts to “isolate” Russia, as Obama suggested Monday.



http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Secu...-sanctions-but-would-they-make-any-difference


Thus, this could be yet another empty boast with little or nothing behind it.

 

[Dino]

Many here have advocated for economic sanctions against Russia, but none to my knowledge have actually spelled out any what form those sanctions would take. Some info on our economic relationship (or the lack of it) with Russia, and Europe's situation:

The US accounts for only about 1 percent of Russian trade, so the US cannot expect to have significant economic influence. Post-Soviet Russia was beholden to Washington-influenced international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Hill notes, but those days are long over.

On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is a crucial trade partner for Russia and presumably could have much more influence with Moscow by imposing trade sanctions. But perhaps because of those close ties – and the fact that Western Europe depends on Russia for a chunk of its energy needs – Western European leaders have so far sounded a more cautious note than Obama about imposing sanctions.

The EU did issue a statement late Monday warning Moscow that EU-Russia relations would be set back if it did not quickly take steps to reduce tensions and reverse its course in Ukraine. But consultations among the foreign ministers of the 28-nation organization did not produce concrete measures, leaving most Europe analysts concluding that the EU remains wary of attempts to “isolate” Russia, as Obama suggested Monday.



http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Secu...-sanctions-but-would-they-make-any-difference


Thus, this could be yet another empty boast with little or nothing behind it.

Putin on the record has stated he will "retaliate" against use of sanctions. If ever there was one, that's a "chickens coming home to roost" situation.

I trust Putin's word more than Obama's ability to keep Americans safe. That's not a comfortable thing to say, but it is true.

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

Putin on the record has stated he will "retaliate" against use of sanctions. If ever there was one, that's a "chickens coming home to roost" situation.

I trust Putin's word more than Obama's ability to keep Americans safe. That's not a comfortable thing to say, but it is true.

So what should Obama do?

 

[Minotaur]

A global sanction is being called for if Russia takes the next step. This is indeed a European problem so threats of a global sanction mean something. There is nothing the US can do except call for the logical sanctions. Thus far Obama has handled that part well in terms of other global leaders now following the same language to try and stop Russia with that possibility looming. Short term Russia invading will have positive impact for Putin. Long term, the global community dictates whether a lesson is learned because it would have a negative consequences for Russia itself if sanctions are levied.

 

[Zam-Zam]

A global sanction is being called for if Russia takes the next step. This is indeed a European problem so threats of a global sanction mean something. There is nothing the US can do except call for the logical sanctions. Thus far Obama has handled that part well in terms of other global leaders now following the same language to try and stop Russia with that possibility looming. Short term Russia invading will have positive impact for Putin. Long term, the global community dictates whether a lesson is learned because it would have a negative consequences for Russia itself if sanctions are levied.

The threat of sanctions doesn't mean anything if that threat has no action behind it. And that is much easier to say than it is to do.

 

[Minotaur]

The threat of sanctions doesn't mean anything if that threat has no action behind it. And that is much easier to say than it is to do.

I agree. We'll see if Europe has the right stuff for a bigger picture.

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

The threat of sanctions doesn't mean anything if that threat has no action behind it. And that is much easier to say than it is to do.

So what should Obama do?

 

[Zam-Zam]

So what should Obama do?

I have previously outlined my thoughts on that in another thread. You are free to look it up if you're so inclined, but I'm not going to re-hash it again. My answer hasn't changed.

 

[as seen on tv]

Many here have advocated for economic sanctions against Russia, but none to my knowledge have actually spelled out any what form those sanctions would take. Some info on our economic relationship (or the lack of it) with Russia, and Europe's situation:

The US accounts for only about 1 percent of Russian trade, so the US cannot expect to have significant economic influence. Post-Soviet Russia was beholden to Washington-influenced international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Ms. Hill notes, but those days are long over.

On the other hand, the European Union (EU) is a crucial trade partner for Russia and presumably could have much more influence with Moscow by imposing trade sanctions. But perhaps because of those close ties – and the fact that Western Europe depends on Russia for a chunk of its energy needs – Western European leaders have so far sounded a more cautious note than Obama about imposing sanctions.

The EU did issue a statement late Monday warning Moscow that EU-Russia relations would be set back if it did not quickly take steps to reduce tensions and reverse its course in Ukraine. But consultations among the foreign ministers of the 28-nation organization did not produce concrete measures, leaving most Europe analysts concluding that the EU remains wary of attempts to “isolate” Russia, as Obama suggested Monday.



http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Secu...-sanctions-but-would-they-make-any-difference


Thus, this could be yet another empty boast with little or nothing behind it.

ASOTs top 10 suggestions about how to deal with Russia: (I posted these in another thread a few days ago. These aren't strictly "sanctions")

10 - Cancel our participation in the Moscow G8 meeting

9 - take a vote (among G8 members) on whether Russia should be a member at all

8 - cancel military cooperations (obama already took this step, hooray!)

7 - recall our ambassador to russia

6 - have Kerry (our secretary of state) have a private conversation/protest with the Russian ambassador to the US; possibly restrict privileges or projects which aren't normal diplomatic protocol.

5 - heightened scrutiny of banking transactions in the USA by Russian government entitites and/or Russian enterprises thought to be fronts for the Putin regime

4 - issue a state department advisory for US citizens considering travel to Russia

3 - suspend new listing of Russian ADRs (american depository receipts) for Russian corporations wanting to trade on the NYSE (this is dicey - I don't know if I actually believe this would hurt or help more)

2 - blockade russian vessels seeking to unload weapons in syria (we should have done this quite some time ago, in fact)

1 - rescind MFN (most favored nation) trading partner status for Russia

 

[Zam-Zam]

ASOTs top 10 suggestions about how to deal with Russia: (I posted these in another thread a few days ago. These aren't strictly "sanctions")

10 - Cancel our participation in the Moscow G8 meeting

9 - take a vote (among G8 members) on whether Russia should be a member at all

8 - cancel military cooperations (obama already took this step, hooray!)

7 - recall our ambassador to russia

6 - have Kerry (our secretary of state) have a private conversation/protest with the Russian ambassador to the US; possibly restrict privileges or projects which aren't normal diplomatic protocol.

5 - heightened scrutiny of banking transactions in the USA by Russian government entitites and/or Russian enterprises thought to be fronts for the Putin regime

4 - issue a state department advisory for US citizens considering travel to Russia

3 - suspend new listing of Russian ADRs (american depository receipts) for Russian corporations wanting to trade on the NYSE (this is dicey - I don't know if I actually believe this would hurt or help more)

2 - blockade russian vessels seeking to unload weapons in syria (we should have done this quite some time ago, in fact)

1 - rescind MFN (most favored nation) trading partner status for Russia

With regard to #9, what do you do if that vote does not go the way you hope ot will?

 

[GordonGecko]

Well, let's go ask Sarah Palin what to do....she's the expert.

 

[GordonGecko]

ASOTs top 10 suggestions about how to deal with Russia:

2 - blockade russian vessels seeking to unload weapons in syria (we should have done this quite some time ago, in fact)

And what happens if the Russians vessels fail to stop, ASOT? What then? Or does that in involve a BRAND NEW "Top Ten" List.


(BTW, don't sleep better at night, folks, knowing experts in foreign policy and military matters, don't have to rely on David Letterman routines to come up with policy ideas?

 

[Dino]

So what should Obama do?

It's his promise to Ukraine, his aegis, he should back up his words. Why would he issue a guarantee otherwise?

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

I have previously outlined my thoughts on that in another thread. You are free to look it up if you're so inclined, but I'm not going to re-hash it again. My answer hasn't changed.

Your dodge is noted.

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

ASOTs top 10 suggestions about how to deal with Russia: (I posted these in another thread a few days ago. These aren't strictly "sanctions")

10 - Cancel our participation in the Moscow G8 meeting

9 - take a vote (among G8 members) on whether Russia should be a member at all

8 - cancel military cooperations (obama already took this step, hooray!)

7 - recall our ambassador to russia

6 - have Kerry (our secretary of state) have a private conversation/protest with the Russian ambassador to the US; possibly restrict privileges or projects which aren't normal diplomatic protocol.

5 - heightened scrutiny of banking transactions in the USA by Russian government entitites and/or Russian enterprises thought to be fronts for the Putin regime

4 - issue a state department advisory for US citizens considering travel to Russia

3 - suspend new listing of Russian ADRs (american depository receipts) for Russian corporations wanting to trade on the NYSE (this is dicey - I don't know if I actually believe this would hurt or help more)

2 - blockade russian vessels seeking to unload weapons in syria (we should have done this quite some time ago, in fact)

1 - rescind MFN (most favored nation) trading partner status for Russia

Pretty much Obama's approach, except for the insane naval blockade of Russian ships.

 

[Bugsy McGurk]

It's his promise to Ukraine, his aegis, he should back up his words. Why would he issue a guarantee otherwise?

Your dodge is also noted.

 

[Charcat]

Your dodge is noted.

That was no dodge. You were on the same thread and already argued the points once. Quit being a little buggy pest.

 

[Dino]

Your dodge is also noted.

It's obama's promise, what did he back it up with? He needs to start with booting Russia from the G8 and impose sanctions. He'd need to intervene using the military if Russia imposes military force.

 

[crowfoot]

It's obama's promise, what did he back it up with? He needs to start with booting Russia from the G8 and impose sanctions. He'd need to intervene using the military if Russia imposes military force.

intervene militarily!!?? lol

 

[marvin martian]

Obama needs to keep his mouth shut and pay close attention to what's going on. Sadly, I know he will do neither...