Friday, August 08, 2008

Russia Invades Georgia

This is very troubling.

Russian tanks are moving towards the capital of Georgia’s separatist region of South Ossetia, which has been under heavy bombardment from Georgian forces.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili said 150 Russian tanks and other vehicles had entered South Ossetia.

Georgia is reported to have said any involvement of Russian forces in the conflict will result in a state of war between the two countries.

Russia says it is sending reinforcements to support peacekeepers.

Reports from Georgia claim Russian jets have attacked an airport near Tbilisi.

Nato, the US and the EU have all called for an immediate end to hostilities.

My guess is that they timed the invasion with Favre’s first day as the QB of the Jets because they knew that the world would be distracted.

(8) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0837 hrs
Foreign Affairs

  1. Not to mention the Olympics and China’s faults taking center stage. About the best timing Putin et al could hope for.

    My favorite headline said something about Russia and Georgia being on the brink of war, much like the quote you pull here.

    I’m pretty sure if Georgia is bragging about downing two of Russia’s fighters while Russian tanks are in Georgia to “support ‘peacekeepers’ “, it’s on.

    Posted by tee bee on August 08, 2008 at 1034 hrs


  2. It is rather “on” as you say.  My parents live in the capital Tbilisi, my father works for Georgian air traffic control as an advisor.  He mentioned today that things “do not look good”, shortly after the military airbase he works adjacent to was bombed.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 08, 2008 at 1056 hrs


  3. Putin has been saber-rattling for awhile now and showing increased military presence. I wonder if we are edging back to the Cold War. Putin is still running the show with his puppet in place. This does not bode well. He has zero accountability now - and is basically back to running Russia like it used to be run.

    I wonder how many former Soviet states he has his eye on?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 08, 2008 at 1121 hrs


  4. How far is Tiblisi from Atlanta?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 08, 2008 at 1339 hrs


  5. ...
    ......
    ......... I’d say about 5 miles…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 08, 2008 at 1343 hrs


  6. “I wonder if we are edging back to the Cold War”

    The cold war started back up when Putin took office. And I do mean “took”.

    “I wonder how many former Soviet states he has his eye on?”

    If they’re not members of NATO, I’m sure he has his eye on them.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 08, 2008 at 1837 hrs


  7. Georgia is not yet a member of NATO, but they have requested to be members.  If they were members, then NATO would be obligated to protect them.
    Georgia has 3000 soldiers in Iraq, my guess they will be heading home soon.  That is not good for Iraq.
    This is another reason not to trust Russia.  If Obama were president, I wonder what he would do?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 09, 2008 at 0243 hrs


  8. Exactly my point. Putin and his little buddies made this move while the world was distracted, and before they gained NATO acceptance. As far as what Obama would do? Probably the same thing Bush will. Politely ask them to stop and then turn a blind eye. I fear this will ignit that whole region into war yet again.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 09, 2008 at 1947 hrs


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