So it turns out that our fearless leader isn’t the only one who’s gone gaga over the doctrine of preemption.

Gen. Yury Baluyevsky, chief of the Russian general staff, said should Russia or any of its allies be substantially threatened, nuclear weapons could be part of a Russian armed response, RIA Novosti reported.

 

“We do not intend to attack anyone, but consider it necessary that all our partners clearly understand, and that no one has any doubts, that the armed forces will be used to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, including preventative action, and including the use of nuclear weapons,” the general said.

So while we’re busy threatening preemptive nuclear attack on Iran, it seems the Russians have really taken a shine to the concept.

If you’re a fan of the ‘War on Terror’, then this should be great news for you. Oh, wait – the Russians don’t see eye to eye with us on what constitutes a terrorist. They wouldn’t preemptively nuke us, or our allies, would they?

We hope not, of course. But this is more of the unintended consequences that Ron Paul has been talking about. We’ve pulled our finger out of the dike, and now preemptive nuclear strikes are on the table. What moral high ground do we claim to deny the Russians the same prerogatives we claim for ourselves?

The answer: There is none. We gave up any moral authority on the subject of invading countries who haven’t attacked us, and we’re on record claiming a right to use nukes in just such a scenario.

Congratulations, King George. You’ve unleashed the ‘Bush Doctrine – Russian style’, on the world.

Are we safer yet?