Why U.S. Russia Policy Was Fumbling in 2008

Robert Dujarric argues that in the aftermath of the Georgia conflict, U.S. Russia policy showed alarming incoherence, as Washington failed to coordinate a strong allied response to Moscow’s aggressive moves . He highlights that European capitals were split between appeasing Russia’s energy leverage and upholding the principle of sovereign borders, leaving NATO and the EU unable to present a united front .

Dujarric warns that this strategic drift emboldened Kremlin revisionism, undermining deterrence in Europe and signaling to other neighbors—like Ukraine and the Baltic states—that U.S. security guarantees might be unreliable . He recommends that the U.S. bolster NATO’s eastern flank with clear force‐posture commitments, diversify Europe’s energy sources, and engage Russia in balanced dialogue that pairs engagement with credible deterrence .