Sen. Lugar says US losing edge in Caucasus
The United States is already losing its strategic
advantage in Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the deputy
chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, Republican
Senator Richard Lugar, has said.
While addressing Senate hearings on the appointment of James Steinberg as US Undersecretary of State, Lugar said the positions the U.S. is losing are being taken over by Russia. "We are gradually losing our strategic clout in these regions, while Russia is reinforcing its positions as an energy supplier. This situation is causing a difference of opinion in NATO," he said.
The senator added that one of the largest threats for the U.S. and Europe was a lack of a common energy security strategy.
"The conflict in Georgia and the suspension of Russian gas transit to Europe may be seen as bygone crises. However, they should also be treated as the manifestation of the failure of the U.S. and Europe to create a common strategy on diversifying energy transportation," Lugar said.
While addressing Senate hearings on the appointment of James Steinberg as US Undersecretary of State, Lugar said the positions the U.S. is losing are being taken over by Russia. "We are gradually losing our strategic clout in these regions, while Russia is reinforcing its positions as an energy supplier. This situation is causing a difference of opinion in NATO," he said.
The senator added that one of the largest threats for the U.S. and Europe was a lack of a common energy security strategy.
"The conflict in Georgia and the suspension of Russian gas transit to Europe may be seen as bygone crises. However, they should also be treated as the manifestation of the failure of the U.S. and Europe to create a common strategy on diversifying energy transportation," Lugar said.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!