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Cato Dispatch for August 8, 2008

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(Links to outside sources were active as of the date of this dispatch; however, not all news sources maintain links to current stories indefinitely. Some links also may require registration.)

Russia and Georgia Clash in South Ossetia

"Russian and Georgian military forces clashed in the separatist province of South Ossetia on Friday, with Russian tanks and troops pushing in after a Georgian assault on the disputed area," reports The Washington Post. "Russia, which has peacekeeping troops in the area, said it was coming to the defense of its citizens, who it says were threatened by Georgian aircraft, tanks and artillery. Georgia's president, meanwhile, said the two countries were at war, and called on the U.S. to back up its support of a nation that is vying to become a member of NATO."

Justin Logan, associate director of Cato's foreign policy studies, comments:

"It appears likely that full-blown war could break out between Russian troops and Georgia. While it is unclear who fired the first shot, very strong nationalist impulses are at work on both sides. Georgia sees the conflict as an incursion of Russian troops onto sovereign Georgian territory, and Russia sees it as the oppression and slaughter of Russian citizens, since most people in South Ossetia, the disputed province in question, are Russian nationals.  This makes it very difficult for either side to climb down.

"What makes the conflict relevant to the U.S. is that President Bush, as well as both presidential candidates, have supported giving Georgia a security guarantee via NATO membership. Why an American president would want to risk American blood and treasure--not to mention another Cold War--over a breakaway province in a country few Americans could even point to on a map is inexplicable and reckless."

Bush Rebukes China's Human Rights Records, Praises Its History

"President Bush rebuked China over political and religious freedoms for a second day on Friday, though he tempered his criticism with effusive praise for the country's history and embraced its hosting of the Olympic Games," reports The New York Times.

James Dorn, Cato's vice president for academic affairs and editor of Cato Journal, comments:

"As the leader of the free world, President Bush should use the bully pulpit to remind leaders in China and elsewhere that basic human rights to life, liberty and property pre-exist the state, and that a just government's role is to safeguard those sacred rights. The best way to help China move toward a freer society is to continue on the path of economic engagement and not surrender to protectionist forces.  The U.S. should practice what it preaches."

Pakistani President Faces Possible Impeachment

"A move by the civilian leadership on Thursday to impeach President Pervez Musharraf left Pakistan on the brink of a political crisis that threatened to paralyze the government at a critical moment when the United States is demanding greater action against militants based in this country," reports The New York Times. "The governing coalition set no formal deadline for the start of impeachment proceedings against Mr. Musharraf, a favored American ally, leaving open the possibility of a protracted and debilitating political fight that could take months of haggling to secure the parliamentary votes needed for impeachment."

Malou Innocent, Cato foreign policy analyst, comments from Pakistan:

"Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf tried to throw a wrench in the ruling coalition's plan to impeach him by re-appointing eight deposed judges of the Sindh High Court. Until now, Musharraf and PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari have had a personal agreement not to reinstate the judges. But the ruling coalition's recent push for impeachment prompted Musharraf to make concessions by reinstating some of the judges. This move may well divide the lawyers' movement, and place Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in a very tenuous position. While Musharraf's future remains uncertain, America's policy in the region will most likely remain intact due to the support it receives from the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Kayani, who seems to be backing the present policy of the Unites States and Musharraf in the tribal areas."

Laura Osio, editor, losio@cato.org