Could we really have avoided conflict with Russia by having a buffer zone of neutrals between NATO and Russia?
A modern cordon sanitaire of the former Warsaw Pact nations would have provided a nice buffer between Russia and the West, while simultaneously reducing Russian paranoia regarding Western intentions. Instead, we brought our military alliance inside the borders of the old Soviet Union — although admittedly Moscow’s Baltic border had been illegally and ruthlessly set during Stalin’s brief alliance with Hitler.
The concept of a cordon sanitaire was put into effect as the Little Entente, but failed, I should add. And I have no doubt that if NATO expansion had halted short of the Baltic states, Russia would have had a NATO border anyway as Russia retook what they lost.
But I will stand by the amazement that we extended NATO without extending military capabilities. I've mentioned that once or twice, at least.
But hey, we effed up.
We trusted the Russians not to be a military threat.
The West does understand that we effed up, don't we?
