The National ChronicleJohn McCain provoked worries earlier this year when he sang “Bomb, bomb Iran” and called for 100 years of American engagement in Iraq, and he is doing so again with his recent comments about the military conflict between Russia and Georgia. While most knowledgeable observers of international politics have called for a ceasefire and diplomacy between the warring parties, the hawkish McCain has steadily become more bellicose towards the Russians.
Veteran political correspondent Josh Marshall sees McCain’s remarks as “dangerous and unstable”, an unwelcome irritant to international affairs after several years of failed conservative policies in Iraq and Afghanistan. McCain insists that Russia is intent on creating an empire. It is possible that Randy Scheunemann, Sen. McCain’s senior foreign policy advisor, has a hand in this recent belligerent display. It was recently revealed that Randy Scheunemann was a lobbyist for the Georgian government while on McCain’s payroll and had the ear of his boss. To some it begs the question if McCain is just taking orders rather than demonstrating judgement and/or leadership.