Crawford tours 3 ex-Soviet nations

WASHINGTON — Three small nations that have escaped from Moscow’s grip are counting on the United States to stand up against Russian aggression, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford said Friday.

The Republican from Jonesboro, who serves on the House Intelligence Committee, returned Wednesday from a trip to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania.

He traveled along with U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the committee chairman.

The lawmakers were “looking at the Russian threat to the region, what our partners are doing there to address that [threat] and how we’re working together to push back against Russia in the region,” Crawford said. “We’re keeping our eye on the ball in Eastern Europe and making sure that the Russian threat is not ignored.”

For decades after World War II, Romania was a Soviet bloc nation with a pro-Moscow government.

The other two nations were formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijan, which borders the Caspian Sea, faces Russia to the north and Iran to the south.

Georgia, which abuts the Black Sea, lost a five-day war with its Russian neighbor 10 years ago this month.

Crawford’s visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Georgia’s military defeat.

“If you look at the history of Russia in this area, the Russian Empire has always been somewhat belligerent. … It’s no different now,” Crawford said. “They’re back to their old ways. I believe they would like to form something along the lines of a Soviet Union again.”

Nunes, a close White House ally who has clashed repeatedly with Democrats on the committee, will be traveling to Jonesboro next month, Crawford confirmed.

The chairman will attend a fundraiser to boost Crawford’s re-election chances; Helena-West Helena educator Chintan Desai is his Democratic opponent. A Libertarian named Elvis Presley is also on the ballot.