Two Cheers for Russia's Invasion of Georgia

One time is a typo, but...

Independent and independence are words; independant and independance are not.

of IL @ Aug 12, 2008 21:23:34 PM

Holmes I've got to

Agree.

Robert Lambert @ Aug 12, 2008 18:28:15 PM

Selective facts

Fatesrider,

South Ossetia is not internationally recognized as an independant country. It was an area that was self governing, but it is still recognized internationally as part of Georgian territory. Look it up before you start spouting "facts" that aren't true.

South Ossetia is much an independant country as Chechnya was. If Russia had the right to crush the separatist movement in Chechnya, part of their territory, then Georgia had as much right to do so in their country.

Georgia also has every right to seek alliances with whatever country they choose. I don't blame them for looking for outside help after Russia supported a separatist movement in their country. Do you accuse Ukraine of "playing games" because it seeks to join the European Union and NATO also, mostly because they are afraid of Russian agression? Do you hope that Ukraine "gets what it deserved" also? You sound suspiciously like a Russian goverment official....

As far as the "all of the above" suggestion, yeah, so they might not help out immediately. All of this technology was certainly available 5 years ago. If we had implemented some of these suggestions 5 years ago, we might not be in the mess we're in energy-wise. Oh and by the way, energy independance goes way beyond gas prices and how to power your car.

Weaselca of OR @ Aug 12, 2008 18:00:53 PM

I wouldn't give it two cheers, but...

To say this incident brings clarity is an understatement. It gives a neon highlight to Russian willingness to brutally pursue their self-interest, and the inability of the rest of the world to do anything about it. They will scoff at threats, embargoes, and sanctions. The Bear lives.

I would agree with the Russians on one point: Saakashvili should go. The Russian response could have been predicted, and should have been predicted by those who deign to lead the Georgian people. Saakashvili and his government thought they could get away with tweaking the Bear's nose, and brought an unnecessary disaster onto their country. In the aftermath, a democratic Georgia should be asking if he is the right person to lead them, given the undeniable circumstances of their neighborhood.

El Kabong of OH @ Aug 12, 2008 17:50:55 PM

Things are not as they appear

Ask yourselves what our 1,1k troops were doing in Georgia. Operation Immediate Response 2008 was over on Thursday. We put enough transport into Georgia for 2000 Georgian military to fly in. I haven't seen anything saying that our thousand military flew out on the return flight. That might just be because I missed the story of our troop evacuation but it also might be because the US just put out a 1k personnel military tripwire and Russia blinked. The unadvertised deal being Georgia stays free and we don't say anything about Russia bombing US troops.

It's very early and things are not entirely clear but what is clear is that we don't know the whole story and should be cautious in our judgments.

TM Lutas of IN @ Aug 12, 2008 17:46:38 PM

Russia is weak

Russia is in a dead-cat bounce/sucker's rally at the moment.

The USSR was powerful in the 1970s as oil was expensive. As oil got cheap, the USSR declined and collapsed.

After the collapse, in the 1990s, no one considered Russia to be very powerful. Now, oil is expensive again, so Russia's power has risen again. But if they think they can recapture the glory days of Khruschev and Breznev, they are deluded. As soon as more energy diversifies out of oil, Russia will wane again. Russia has no chance of going toe to toe with China even.

I see Russia's grab for Georgia to be analogous to Saddam's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. While no one will oust Russia from Georgia, it will be the beginning of the end of the tsardom.

Tood of CA @ Aug 12, 2008 17:15:12 PM

Interesting

An interesting take on the Georgian/Russian conflict.

The paucity of thought displayed in the comments is disturbing.

Holmes of VA @ Aug 12, 2008 17:01:58 PM

The bright side is that now Europe will see a new order

Maybe Europe might understand the need for military actions now? Georgia doesn't effect America as much as it threatens the resources of Europe. No it seems the shoe is on the other foot! eh?

Noah David Simon of NY @ Aug 12, 2008 16:48:31 PM