The StratFor article on “The Medvedev Doctrine and American Strategy” focuses purely on military responses to the challenges that Russia is posing to US hegemony. It fails to address the larger geopolitical situation and potential non-military American responses.

I find the statement by Friedman that “At the moment, the United States faces the strategic problem that the Russians have options while the United States does not.” to be absolutely ridiculous.

While I very much disagree that the US
military is overstretched, does any serious observer truly believe that either Russia or the United States is eager for a direct military conflict?

With that in mind, are military responses the only otions that the American government can bring to bear on Russia?

Friedman provides a hint: “the real heart of this problem is not merely the deployment of U.S. forces in the Islamic world — it is the Russians’ ability to use weapons sales and covert means to deteriorate conditions dramatically.” This ability of causing mischief is a sword that cuts both ways.

Which raises the question, How did Reagan win the cold war “without firing a shot?”
(which is btw, pure BS)

The answer being that the US won the cold war Economically… that the US bankrupted the Soviet Union, by bleeding them dry in the proxy Afghan war, by outspending the Soviets Militarily, and by crashing the price of Oil.

Naysayers will attempt to say that it is the US that is over a barrel, that the US is overstreched in Afghanistan, by the price of oil and by military spending.

Bottom line is that the Russians have far less Economic, Military and Geopolitical power that the Soviet Union had, and are therefore in a much more precarious situation than the Soviets were vis-a-vis the United States.

The key for the US to win “Cold War II” is having leadership with the WILL to oppose the Russians. Of course MUCH hinges on the upcoming presidential elections.

The Russians are making quite a case for electing the tried and true cold warrior McCain over the unknown leftist neophyte Obama.