Russian Relations Become a Hot Campaign Topic | Newsweek Politics: Conventions

LETTERS
Peace of Mind
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM
Readers marveled at what cognitive neuroscientists are uncovering about the biology of the brain and its impact on human feelings, part of our HEALTH FOR LIFE package. One pointed to the intangible, transcendent "dimensions of consciousness." Another stated simply: "Science reveals more mysteries than it explains."
WORLD REACTION
A Vote Heard 'Round The World'
11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM
The winner takes it all. I have loved ABBA's "Mamma Mia" musical since I first saw it in New York's Winter Garden theater a few years ago. And those were the lyrics sounding in my head when it became clear that Barack Obama won the White House race. Wow, a night to remember! Certainly, it was a long night, waiting for the results in Warsaw as well. I spent it jumping from one TV station to another, where I was commenting on the elections, and then a longer while at the Warsaw Intercontinental Hotel, where the U.S. Embassy had its election-night party. It was hugely crowded, with a few hundred excited Americans and Poles: discussing, drinking—even dancing. The clear majority there wore Obama-Biden badges ...
CAMPAIGN 2008
Projections of Power
Andrew Nagorski 11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM
So the seemingly endless U.S. presidential campaign is finally ending. If it started with a high level of excitement, it soon began to feel like Mao's Long March, a grueling journey where only the true believers could maintain their enthusiasm. Now, there will be more than just relief that the journey is over: there will be a new burst of excitement. This happens whenever a new president takes office, but it'll be doubly the case here. The weariness with eight years of the Bush administration and fears about the global economy guarantees that, at least for a while, the new team will inspire new hope at home and abroad, almost a dizzying sense of new possibilities.
LETTERS
Madame Vp?
10/18/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sarah Palin remains a curiosity for readers. "She came out of near obscurity with no real agenda but to win this for the Republicans," one said. Another questioned the choice given other "smart and experienced women." And one gushed of having a new "Jackie Kennedy in the form of Sarah Palin."
Mail Call: Russia’s Power Play
10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM
I agree with Clifford G. Gaddy's Sept. 1 essay, "How Not to Punish Moscow." Gaddy writes, "It appears that Russia will have its way with Georgia and that the West is powerless to do anything about it." Remember that Georgia was part of the Soviet Union. Although it gained independence, as far as Russia is concerned Georgia remains a vassal state. Russia will not tolerate positioning of weapons of destruction in its vassal states under the guise of NATO or other security arrangements with the West. What Russia did to Georgia is reminiscent of America's quarantine of Cuba when the Soviet Union placed missiles there. Thus, Russia feels justified in teaching a lesson to Georgia—a country viewed as too pro-America and beginning to feel that its independence is a license to test Russia's patience. Vladimir Putin is no ordinary leader. Being an ex-KGB man and proud of his Russian blood, he's prepared to go all the way to redeem Russia's pride after the unexpected loss of rich territories that have become nation-states in their own right. Georgia learned a lesson in ethnic politics. When Putin gave the order to invade Georgia, it was done with careful calculation. It will not be in America's or NATO's interest to retaliate militarily unless they are prepared for Armageddon. Russia is not Iraq, and Putin is not Saddam Hussein. The United States and NATO should not pour salt over wounds by making disparaging remarks, but must endeavor to look at the issue from a wider perspective in the name of peace, love and humanity.Hassan Bin TalibSelangor, Malaysia
INTERVIEW
'Russia Should Follow Georgia's Lead'
Lally Weymouth 9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM
The world is divided between those who admire Georgian President Saakashvili's valiant attempts to bring democracy to his country and those who believe that he almost brought the world to the brink of war with Russia over the summer. Last week, Saakashvili attended the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and explained his position to NEWSWEEK's Lally Weymouth. Excerpts: