NATO and Russia

Re “The Folly of Breathing New Life Into an Outdated Military Alliance,” Opinion, Dec. 1:

I must admit that I read Alex Alexiev’s article with disbelief and indignation. Either he is completely ignorant of Europe’s recent history or arrogant to think that we are. Let me remind you that for over three centuries Russia has been a dreadful menace to its neighbors. Whether under Romanovs or Communists, it relentlessly pursued the same policy of expansion, Russification and extermination.

Now, when Russia is embroiled in its domestic problems, is precisely the right moment to implement NATO’s membership of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Russian bear may be tame for the moment, but who can predict what might happen 20 years from today?

PETER PARTYKA

Los Angeles