Raping Georgia: Russia Invades An American Ally

New York Post ^ | 8/9/2008 | Ralph Peters

[dr_who]

AS I write, Russian tanks grind into a brave and isolated democratic state.

Assuming that the world's attention would focus on Beijing, Moscow stage-managed an elaborate act of aggression against Georgia.

But the world has changed since Soviet tanks rolled unchallenged into Afghanistan at Christmastime 29 years ago. Global communications now spotlight aggression instantly. remainder of article at website

[Migraine]

A good piece by Ralph Peters and I believe he knows what he’s talking about. It doesn’t look good for the Georgians but maybe they can deliver that surprise beating to the Russians.

I think we need to leave the CIA home this time; but what is the 2008 equivalent of 1981 Stinger missiles?

[jazusamo]

What a bunch of animals!

Exactly! Once a thug, always a thug and there's no better example than Putin.

[dr_who]

Don't count on it. Seems to me that Russia had to get through mountain terrain to get into Ossetia. I take it that Ossetia wasn't completely under their control, but Georgian forces should have come up with a dozen different ways to hamper their advance before the Russian "peace keepers" got well in. That's my uninformed opinion however.

A Washington Post article

National Review is following this if nothing else.

[dr_who]

The UN’s response will be neutral, toothless, and only relevant enough to give Putin cover.

[Don Corleone]

Previews of coming attractions when and if the Obamanation comes into practice. Cuba, Taiwan, Eastern Europe, South America, are all ducks lined up in a row for the taking if that empty suit from the south side gets his hands on the red phone.

[EternalVigilance]

Playing in bear country is dangerous business. If you’re not well-prepared and well-armed, it ain’t that hard to end up as bear poop.

[DTogo]

Sounds like the Russians are returning the favor for what we did to Serbia.

If we had worked closer with them back in the '90s during the Balkan crisis we'd have much more credibility and influence now.

[dr_who]

Quite right. Send the CIA to wine and brie shindigs at the UN.

[norraad]

& just like any animal/thug they can easily be put in their place.

In fact, the only time they go astray is when the think Alpha's not looking.

Their's got to be an Alpha, it's natural law, as above so below.

[dr_who]

Seems to me that our misadventures in the Balkans back in the 90’s is part of the reason we’re seeing this happen now.

[ASOC]

This whole mess pre-dates the fall of the USSR and has elements of Nationalism, race and religion (Yup - Muzzies) in tyhe mix.

The timing vis a vis the Olympics is not by chance, but neither was the initial Georgian attack.

This has more to do with our messing around in Kosovo (and its claim of Independence) - another mess that can be laid at the feet of Bill Clinton.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

The dream of the worldwide proletarian revolution is long gone, but a mixture of “socialism in one country” and good old fashioned “Russian nationalism” can be just as deadly to Russia’s unfortunate neighbors.

[winodog]

Bingo.
First time in my life I have been ashamed to be an American

[dr_who]

Never be ashamed to be an American.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for linking that. Applebaum could be right in saying it may be too late.

[dfwgator]

Yep, we lost Russia because of Kosovo.

[jazusamo]

We sure can do better by leaving the CIA in Washington.

[Nowhere Man]

Seems to me that our misadventures in the Balkans back in the 90’s is part of the reason we’re seeing this happen now.

We backed the wrong dog in the Balkans back then and missed a lot of opportunities to engage Russia to come to our side. The bigger threats overall are Red China and the muzzies.

[dervish]

The relationship to the missile defense is clear. Putin who has voiced strong objections to missile defense in Europe is warning off all US allies (Poland et al) not to cooperate with the US since the US is not a reliable ally.