How Executive Decision Works
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M E M O R A N D U M
| To: | The President of the United States |
| From: | D. N. Forser, Chief of Staff |
| Re: | Our Russia Problem |
| Date: | January 26, 2000 |
Dear Mr./Ms. President:
The Russian invasion of Chechnya puts U.S. foreign policy on the spot. On the one hand, we have a long-term stake in encouraging Russian democracy and economic reform. Like him or not, Vladimir Putin -- the architect of the Chechnya invasion -- is the hand-picked successor to Boris Yeltsin, our guy in Moscow; and we have every expectation that Putin will carry through with the Yeltsin reform program, mottled as that effort is. Putin's fascist and Communist opponents make Putin look like the Russian Jefferson.
On the other hand, we invoked a principle of human rights, which can be called the Clinton Doctrine, for our intervention in Kosovo that applies to Russia's incursion into Chechnya. Russia, in short, is like Serbia, and the Chechen civilians enduring the blitz of Grozny are like the Kosovo Albanians. We intervened to save the Albanians; it would make a hash of our post-war foreign policy if we stand by and do nothing while the Russians are making the rubble bounce in Grozny.
The next Russian elections, which are likely to officially install Putin as President, are to be held in March. Now is the time for you to decide what our policy on Chechnya and the new Russian government should be.
Two of your advisors have written memos advocating distinct courses of action. You'll want to read them before you make your decision. Good luck, Mr./Ms. President.
A. Never Again: Take a Hard Line Against the Chechnya Invasion (Read a memo
in favor of Option A.)
B. Forget the Clinton Doctrine: Leave Russia Alone (Read a memo in favor of Option B.)
Copyright © 2000 by The Atlantic Monthly Company. All rights reserved.
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