Echoes of 1956
Some aspects of the current tragedy in Georgia remind me of the Hungarian uprising in 1956, especially the role of the U.S. I think this blogger gets it right:
One difference is, we had only scant and secretive contact with the Hungarian people in 1956, much of it through Voice of America broadcasts by Hungarian exiles that weren't even well monitored by the U.S. government. In cases like Georgia, it ought to be explicit, if it wasn't, how far we agree to go in their defense.
More on Hungary 1956. Also, thoughts along these lines from Michelle Malkin, who, of course, would have done more in 1956.
For the USA, though, the lesson of 1956 is clear: don't encourage the fantasies of small countries that we are in no position to help. It raises expectations that we can't fulfill, and pushes other people into bloody confrontations.
One difference is, we had only scant and secretive contact with the Hungarian people in 1956, much of it through Voice of America broadcasts by Hungarian exiles that weren't even well monitored by the U.S. government. In cases like Georgia, it ought to be explicit, if it wasn't, how far we agree to go in their defense.
More on Hungary 1956. Also, thoughts along these lines from Michelle Malkin, who, of course, would have done more in 1956.
