From Russia, without love

Re “Putin accuses U.S. of making world unsafe,” Feb. 11

Tragically, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s criticism of U.S. foreign policy is valid. The Bush doctrine of preemptive invasion is not only morally wrong, it undermines U.S. security interests. The rush to war in Iraq, in defiance of U.N. resolutions and while weapons inspectors were still permitted access, signaled a disregard for international law. The fact that the rationales for war -- weapons of mass destruction and ties to Al Qaeda -- were demonstrably untrue compounded the effect. The virtual adoption of analytical positivism by the Bush administration inevitably and rationally encourages all nations to seek nuclear parity or deterrence. To restore American honor and trust abroad, we must repudiate this provocative policy and punish those responsible by the only constitutional means available: impeachment.

JOHN WEINELL

Dana Point

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It grieves me terribly to have to agree with Putin on almost everything he said about U.S. policy. It is almost criminal what this administration has done with respect to world affairs. Our standing in the world is at an all-time low because of irresponsible, go-it-alone actions. It is a pity that the reputation of this great country has to suffer because of an incompetent president who pushes ideology over diplomacy.

RANDELL HILL

La Verne

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Had it been a member of Congress or a U.S. presidential candidate quoted as saying that “we are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper-use of military force in international relations,” or “unilateral, illegitimate actions have not managed to resolve any problems, but made them worse,” there would be no controversy at all.

HOWARD W. HAYS

Sierra Madre

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I lived under Soviet occupation in postwar Berlin. When the infamous Berlin Wall was dismantled, thanks to President Reagan’s tireless efforts, and the Western world believed that the Russian Federation and its ex-KGB leaders could be trusted as partners in a new political and economic alliance, those of us who still remembered the barbaric practices of the Soviet occupiers cautioned all who would listen to not let our guard down in our dealings with the Cold War enemy. Perhaps now that former KGB Lt. Col. Putin dropped his mask at the Munich security summit, the Western world will see him for what he truly is.

GORDON FROEDE

Los Angeles

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Will Bush threaten to bomb Russia now? We will all pay the price in world opinion for our unbridled militarism. World War III is at hand, and it will be our doing.

JOHN PUCCETTI

Ventura