Why the Russia-Georgia Spat Could Become a U.S. Headache (4K Russians w/shoot to kill order)

Time Magazine ^ | October 3, 2006 | YURI ZARAKHOVICH in Moscow

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When Putin puts 4,000 Russian soldiers stationed in Soviet Georgia on high alert with a shoot to kill order, it's a wee bit more than a "spat," Comrade Zarakhovich.

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Ping!
Thank you for the link to this article, MarMema!

[MinorityRepublican]

Vladimir Putin came in looking like a stable leader in Russia, and his 17% flat tax is wonderful.

But then he decided to remake Russia into the neo-Soviet Union.

Now what's up with that?

[BlackVeil]

It is a very daunting situation. Alarming.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Sounds like a good time to ask the Georgians for an air base. Georgia is not far from Iran. And where would Iran's nuclear program be without Russian help?

Russia is not our friend.

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From Russia with Love...
Soviet Russian Diplomacy Ping.

[advertising guy]

third world markets is what's up with that

that new Russian 4 door family care is awesome huh ?

the Russian stock market really rocked today huh ?

those new Russion fashions are so nice huh ?

they have as an economy , a military, a military
for sale , and war bombs and war pieces parts.

PootyPoot tried to make it appear different to the
west but really, his Pooty is pootin'

[MinorityRepublican]

What would the consequences be if Putin declares war on Georgia?

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MinorityRepublican wrote: "Vladimir Putin came in looking like a stable leader in Russia, and his 17% flat tax is wonderful. But then he decided to remake Russia into the neo-Soviet Union. Now what's up with that?"

1. Putin is facing the end of his career;
2. Putin has the old guard Soviet KGB/FSB breathing down his neck.
3. Putin/KGB = master of appearances deceit.

[bd476]

BlackVeil wrote: "It is a very daunting situation. Alarming."

Yes, it sure is.

[advertising guy]

if in fact it's shoot to kill as stated that is huge.

on another thread I just left, Russian was telling Poland
they better not harbor and US or other UN missle defense system there.

The world is choosing sides and to our detriment the yappin' drive by media tells the world we can't win a world wide war. We's to thin don't ya know ? And to boot a world wide war ? We Done.

This will require face to face stuff and failing that sanctions UN or no UN. Oh,and fast.

[NinoFan]

As one ex-KGB officer put it, Russia and the US are neither allies nor enemies. They're rivals.

[NinoFan]

As one ex-KGB officer put it, Russia and the US are neither allies nor enemies. They're rivals. Rivals can become enemies with provocation.

[Just mythoughts]

Hmmmm so there is a global orchestrated attempt to Vietnamize Iraq.

[DB]

I wonder what right it is that Russia has 4,000 troops in Georgia, especially if they are unwelcome there?

[advertising guy]

no not that visual,this one, death by a thousand cuts (from a 100 people).

our way of life is the only country that can withstand a nuke war and survive . Three reasons are our military,our
democratic republic form of gubmint,and a viable economy based on real principles.

Now you throw a Clinton or a Kerry in there and hell yes

double time.

[bd476]

DB wrote: "I wonder what right it is that Russia has 4,000 troops in Georgia, especially if they are unwelcome there?"

Just a guess here, but it is possible that Putin told Georgia "we are sending you some protection, for your own good."

[DB]

Iraq, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela are all proxies for powers that want to weaken us and get us to retreat from the world no matter the cost to the people of those countries.

[FreedomCalls]

I have to give them credit. The new UAZ Patriot is a pretty cool 4x4. Much better than the old UAZ 469. Much more consumer oriented.

http://patriot.uaz.ru/eng/

[Cheburashka]

Vladimir Putin came in looking like a stable leader in Russia, and his 17% flat tax is wonderful.

But then he decided to remake Russia into the neo-Soviet Union.

Now what's up with that?
---
My opinion:

Russia has been an imperial power at least since the time of Peter the Great in the 18th Century. Just to put that in perspective with American history, Peter was dead before George Washington was born. The political structure changed in 1917, but the imperial aspect did not.

In all that time the Russians/Soviets saw themselves as, oh, mentoring, guiding these smaller peoples. Imagine their shock in 1991 and after in discovering that these peoples in the former Soviet Republics didn't like them. Didn't like them a lot! The Russians are genuinely shocked, hurt and a somewhat angry about this. And Putin seems to believe that Russia has a right to intervene in the "near abroad", the Russian term for the former Soviet Republics.

If the Russians want to genuinely get along with these countries they will have to learn to stop interfering in their domestic affairs. Because where the Russians see themselves as a having a right to intervene, the former Soviets see Russian as a bear intent on controlling them and swallowing them again.

The different perceptions are what's driving this crisis.