The Russian Woman

Chapter 51

President Campbell leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. When he’d entered politics he'd been filled with youthful energy and well-intentioned illusions about creating meaningful change. Forty years later, the illusions were gone. In their place was the uncomfortable knowledge that his decisions had consequences he could not predict, with far-reaching effects on the lives of millions of people. It was not a part of the job he enjoyed.

Sometimes he wished he’d chosen a different occupation. Today was one of those times.

Sitting in the Oval Office were the people he relied on for advice, by choice or necessity. Seated on one of the couches flanking a rug with the presidential seal in the center of the room were General Kroger and DCI Kramer. National Security Advisor Covington and Harold Kaplan sat on the other.

"General, what the hell happened? What was that weapon? Was it a nuke?"

"No, sir. It was a thermobaric bomb. It's conventional. It produces an effect similar to a small nuclear weapon, but without the radiation. It decimated the Kurdish command structure and destroyed significant stockpiles of their weapons. An unknown number of Kurdish fighters are dead or missing. Resistance in the region is finished. The Russians have started mopping up."

"Were any of our people there?"

"Twenty-four of our advisors were killed."

"I'm being crucified in the press," Campbell said. "The media is having a field day. Half of them want me to resign. The other half wants me to teach Moscow a lesson, whatever that means. This morning I received a call from President Tarasov. He was upset with me for giving the Kurds the missiles they used to shoot down his bomber."

"That's too damn bad," Kroger said. "He doesn't have a leg to stand on. The use of that bomb is a war crime."

"I'd be careful about pointing fingers, General," Kaplan said. "We used a thermobaric bomb in Afghanistan some years ago."

"Don't give me that sanctimonious bullshit, Kaplan. It's not the same thing at all. The Taliban were cutting off the heads of our soldiers with a dull knife."

"I'm not interested in revisiting the past, Harold," Campbell said. "I want ideas on how to respond to this atrocity. Who wants to start?"

"We have to make it clear to Tarasov that he's crossed the line in a big way," Covington said. "He cannot be allowed to get away with this."

"I agree," Kramer said. "You tried diplomacy, sir. It didn't work. It's time for something stronger. The only thing a thug like Tarasov understands is determination to stand up to him."

"Determination backed up by sufficient force," Kroger said.

"We've had this conversation before," Kaplan said. "If we provoke Tarasov it could lead to a larger conflict."

"Why don't you grow a set of balls, Kaplan?" Kroger said. "Every time Tarasov says boo, you start looking over your shoulder for a place to hide. I've got news for you. You can't hide from someone like him. Stop thinking about the polls and start thinking about your country."

"I resent that," Kaplan said. "How dare you accuse me of not caring about my country? It's people like you that always get us in trouble."

"People like me? You mean military people? You don't like us much, do you Kaplan?"

"Frankly, General, no I don't."

"If it weren't for people like me and the men and women who serve in our military, you would not have the freedom to say something like that."

"Enough," Campbell said. "Personal animosities will not resolve this problem."

He looked at his National Security Advisor.

"What do you think, Walt? Do you think a show of force will help Tarasov see reason?"

"It's going to take more than a show, Mister President. Whatever we do, it has to have teeth in it. Otherwise Moscow will ignore us."

"DCI Kramer?"

"I agree with Walter and General Kroger. A show of force is needed. As Walter said, something with teeth."

"Harold?"

"I've already said what I think. I want to go on record that I believe a military response would be a mistake. However, I will support whatever you decide, Mister President."

You'd better, Kramer thought.

"General Kroger," Campbell said. "Tarasov needs to understand we are not going to let this go. He can't use weapons of mass destruction with impunity. I will not be intimidated. I've considered your suggestion regarding blockading the Dardanelles. You've discussed this at length with the other chiefs? Admiral Stone?"

"Yes, sir. At length."

"Their opinion?"

"In our judgment, a blockade is the most effective way to send a message to the Russians without putting our troops in harm's way."

"What do you think they'll do if we institute a blockade, General?"

"They'll bluster, sir. They will probably go to the UN and accuse us of warmongering. But they're not going to do anything stupid. They might try to run the blockade with one of their warships. We've already discussed that possibility, sir."

Campbell sighed. He had to do something. There weren't any risk-free options. He hated war and desired peace, but history had proved that bad things happened when leaders failed to backup the desire for peace with a sword.

The man who sat in the Oval Office was the public face of the United States. If he allowed Tarasov to get away with dropping that damn bomb, it would convince him he could do whatever he wanted without fear of American retaliation.

The Oval Office brought with it enormous responsibility, with many competing priorities. The biggest priority of all was the security of the United States. Tarasov had made it clear he was a threat to that security. Syria was a long way from America's borders, but what was happening there showed that the Russian bear was waking after a long slumber. Today it was Syria. Tomorrow, it would be somewhere else. Tarasov had to be stopped.

Campbell made his decision.

"Very well. Issue the orders to institute the blockade. I will talk with General Sevim. Those are Turkish waters. We'll need his cooperation."

"It shouldn't be too difficult to get it, sir. He needs us."

"How long will it take to move the fleet into position?"

"Not long, sir. They are currently holding exercises west of Gibraltar."

"I want tight security on this, General. Once word gets out, Congress will be making the usual noises about who has the authority to do what. The longer I can put that off, the better. I'll deal with the fallout when it becomes necessary."

Kroger looked at the president with new respect.

I wasn't certain he had it in him. About time we stood up to Moscow.

"The fleet is a common sight in the Mediterranean. Their movements won't cause undue concern until it becomes evident we're setting up a blockade." He paused. "Mister President?"

"Yes, General?"

"I want to say, sir, that I'm glad it's you sitting in that chair."

Campbell felt a flush of pleasure at Kroger's words.

I'll be damned, I never expected that from him.

"Thank you, General. Let's hope you can still say that a few months from now."