US losing its moral, diplomatic standing

I WONDER how the United States and its coalition allies in Iraq can credibly and effectively protest the Russian invasion of Georgia. The Iraq invasion was justified by erroneous intelligence suggesting terrorist links and weapons of mass destruction, both having been proven false.

Yet the Georgians have openly sought alliances with NATO and the United States and are now paying a hefty price for threatening a powerful neighbor, not a sovereign nation half a world away. Our diplomatic influence is tarnished and essentially muted by the debacle in Iraq.

By George, I think we've lost our moral (and foreign policy) imperative. I fear that other situations yet to happen might find our influence similarly diminished.

CHARLES SHAIRS
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