Confirmation Hearing: Benconstine (SoEA) [Confirmed]

[bgwah]

aye

[Hans-im-Glück]

AYE

[Kaine for Senate '18]

If I understand your answer, your initial instinct was for intervention in the Georgian crisis, but as the situation developed you eventually decided it wasn't worth it. Is this correct? While I realize the war was 2 years ago, can you recall what circumstances early on led you to believe intervention was appropriate? Likewise can you recall what later events in the crisis made you change your mind?

My initial reaction was that this was an act of aggression by Russia on an innocent ally of the United States.  After looking closer into the situation, noting the history between the two nations, and all of the various conflicts on the side, I realized that this was not something we needed to get involved with.

Regardless of your recollections (or lack thereof, depending), can you please elaborate as to what circumstances under an identical crisis there warrants intervention by Atlasia? For example, a full fledged invasion of Georgia that indicated to intelligence observers--even if denied publically by Russia--probable Russian efforts at large-scale occupation of Georgian land or even outright annexation? How about if the fighting spilled over the Turkish border (that is extended maneuvering by combatants, not outright invasion of Turkey)? If the scenarios I've volunteered don't fit, I strongly encourage you to try describing what level of escalation in a military conflict between Georgia and Russia would lead you to advise the President to intervene, just as you apparently would've done early in the crisis 2 years ago. Thank you.

I would advocate intervention if it was abundantly clear that this was just Russian expansionism; if it were to spill into Turkey, I'd probably advise sending troops as a precaution, just to calm things down.

It would have to be serious escalation, to the point where this conflict poses a national security threat to Atlasia or our Eastern European allies.  It would depend a lot on what the GM reports, as obviously the story could turn in a different direction.

[bullmoose88]

Aye

[Badger]

If I understand your answer, your initial instinct was for intervention in the Georgian crisis, but as the situation developed you eventually decided it wasn't worth it. Is this correct? While I realize the war was 2 years ago, can you recall what circumstances early on led you to believe intervention was appropriate? Likewise can you recall what later events in the crisis made you change your mind?

My initial reaction was that this was an act of aggression by Russia on an innocent ally of the United States.  After looking closer into the situation, noting the history between the two nations, and all of the various conflicts on the side, I realized that this was not something we needed to get involved with.

Regardless of your recollections (or lack thereof, depending), can you please elaborate as to what circumstances under an identical crisis there warrants intervention by Atlasia? For example, a full fledged invasion of Georgia that indicated to intelligence observers--even if denied publically by Russia--probable Russian efforts at large-scale occupation of Georgian land or even outright annexation? How about if the fighting spilled over the Turkish border (that is extended maneuvering by combatants, not outright invasion of Turkey)? If the scenarios I've volunteered don't fit, I strongly encourage you to try describing what level of escalation in a military conflict between Georgia and Russia would lead you to advise the President to intervene, just as you apparently would've done early in the crisis 2 years ago. Thank you.

I would advocate intervention if it was abundantly clear that this was just Russian expansionism; if it were to spill into Turkey, I'd probably advise sending troops as a precaution, just to calm things down.

It would have to be serious escalation, to the point where this conflict poses a national security threat to Atlasia or our Eastern European allies.  It would depend a lot on what the GM reports, as obviously the story could turn in a different direction.

Fair enough.

While a bit concerned over the nominee's willingness to recommend intervention in situations of debatable need, I believe he'll serve the President with commendable enthusiasm in this office.

AYE.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Nay.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

Aye

[Badger]

Aye

Well, that was....unexpected.

[Bacon King]

Senators voting in favor of the nominee: Franzl, Bacon King, Bgwah, Hans-im-Gluck, Bullmoose88, Badger, NCYankee, Libertas (8 )
Senators opposed: Dallasfan65 (1)
Senators abstaining: AHDuke (1)
italics: abstained without vote

This nominee is hereby confirmed by the Senate.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Aye FTR, obviously