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

[E. Cartman]

One of the best-kept secrets of the Russia-Chechnya conflict was the level of support among U.S. political leaders for the Chechen separatist movement. This dirty little secret was pretty much swept under the rug after the Beslan school massacre, of course.

That I hadn't heard.

Does anyone else here appreciate the irony that at the start of the 3rd millenium AD, Eastern and Western Christendom are still fighting each other 1000 years later (Rome vs. Constantinople) when their common enemy is still Islam?

[dervish]

Wrong.

The sovereign nation was Georgia. South Ossetia is part of Georgia. How do you “invade” yourself. Russia was the one doing the invading.

Facts are your friends.

[MarMema]

Thank you. I was just about to say the same.

God bless the Georgians.

[eladamry]

The sovereign nation was Georgia. South Ossetia is part of Georgia. How do you “invade” yourself. Russia was the one doing the invading.

In the world you live in, is Kosovo part of Serbia and Taiwan part of China as well? Sorry, I got that last one wrong, China is actually part of Taiwan!

[Nuc1]

I have never been ashamed to be an American. I have been ashamed of my government on many occasions. I hope you agree.

[kabar]

An American ally? We have no mutual defense pact with Georgia. I do find it ironic that the US is criticizing Russia for invading the territorial sovereignty of Georgia and its “runwaway province,” yet we and NATO did the same thing in Kosovo. Moreover, we have supported Kosovo becoming an indendent country.

[Jeff Head]

If the Georgians were able to close down the big tunnel, that would severely hamper the flow of Russian equipment into certain parts of the Province.

Personally, as I have said before, I believe the Georgians will account well for themselves, both in terms of manuever warfare, and, if it comes to is, in terms of guerilla warfare.

That will depend on what the Russians aims are. Do they just want to push the Georgians back from this one province, bloody their nose and send them and the other former satellites a message? Or, will they expand to other provinces and move deeper into georgia with the purpose of deposing the current government and installing their own puppet and then, OBTW, being in defacto control of that oil line?

We can help, and I believe it has to be forthright, but also very measured and careful. IMHO, we should communicate directly, without fanfare but in unmistakable terms that we are serious about providing whatever logistical, material, and G2 support to the Gerogians that we can and that the situation is likely to be extremely costly for the Russians as long as they remain on soveriegn Georgian soil.

We have the satellite and the electronic capability to stand off from Georgia and help in this manner. We have the capability to provide all types of material support in trade.

I do not believe we are prepared or that it would be wise, short of Russians killing American soldiers in Georgia, to put any boots on the ground or combat aircraft in the air.

But I would watch the Ukraine and other satellite states in that regard, because they may provide more support.

This is a message the Russians are sending. it is a message to all the former block states, it is a message to Europe, and it is a message to US.

Part of it is Russian frustration over the move of so many of their former "satellite" states towards NATO and the EU and them not being able to stop it. Part of it is the old Russuan desire for lareg buffers between their soil and any large, capable nation's influence on their borders, another big part of it is oil and that major pipelie that Georgia has crossing it.

I do believe that we have to respond strongly to this message or the Russians will be emboldened on other fronts.

If the Russians bloody the Georgian's nose in that one Provence, push the Georgians back, and then pull back themselves...there is a chance that things can cool down.

But if the Russians expand this to other provinces and keep moving deeper into Gerogia with any aim to depose the Georgian government, install their own puppet, and gain defact contro over that oil, then you will see increasing aid of all sorts going to Georgia from a number of countries to try and prevent that.

It is a very dangerous situation, but one that the Russians have clearly thought out (and were prepared for BTW, the movement of their armor and large numbers of troops didn't happen in a few hours or a couple of days...they have been planning this) and one where they are risking a high stakes military gambit under the auspice of "protecting" their "people" who live in Georgia. Sounds all the world like Hitler and the Sudetenland in 1938 in that regard.

IMHO, we have to be firm and we have to be measured and careful at the same time...but we do need to respond strongly and with more than words. Words is exactly what Putin is counting on.

Now, having said all of this, at this time in history, with these types of situations going on, and with the only two candidates that stand a chance of winning the Presidency in the US, which one of these two men do you want at the helm?

CHOOSING THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES




NOBAMA MOVEMENT SPREADS ACROSS THE NATION

[Chgogal]

Europe is pretty much screwed. Russia wants that million barrel/day pipeline. I hear from my parents that the Euros (general population) don't even know this happened. Idiots!

[ma bell]

just like Kosovo was part of Serbia and Bosnia/Croatia was part of Yugoslavia...

Then why did Georgia roll their tanks into S.Ossetia instead of having already a base and units there???

[genefromjersey]

Isn't anyone else questioning Ralph Peters' statement ?

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

Whoa,hoss ! Ally or not, Georgia ADMITS it took advantage of the Olympic distractions to launch an attack on South Ossetia - killing Russian "peacekeepers" in the process.

When the Russians responded in force (as they usually do) our "gallant ally" began squealing for US help.

They are an ally, and we should do what we can to defuse this dangerous situation, but let's keep in mind Georgia deliberately started shooting first-just as they did in 2004 !

[Tramonto]

Russia was building up forces along the border and sent in ‘volunteers’ to attack Georgian towns. When the Georgians responded, the Russians claimed that a 1000 Russian citizens were killed. I haven’t seen any proof of this, not even a picture. I suspect that it was an outright lie but it was their excuse to invade. Russia chose the timing of this conflict.

[ZULU]

We should talk tough to the Russians immediately and if they don;t call this off give the Georgians all the military aid and assistance possible, that all that is necessary to destroy the Russian military offensive there.

[Tramonto]

What a lie:). Truth is just opposite. Georgia attacked Russian peacekeepers and citizens so russia came to rescue and defend them.

Russia was prepared to attack and had their proxies along with Russian troops start shelling Georgian towns. When the Georgians finally responded, Russia invaded as planned. The timing of the olympics benafits Russia, not Georgia.

The logic of accusing Georgia of using the olympics as a distraction to attack civilians is ridiculous. As the Georgian president said, the Russians were massed on the border, it would be suicide to try to provoke them.

RusIvan, are you working for the Kremlin?

[ASOC]

I would rather we not talk - just do.

[ExSoldier]

NATO should immediately approve Georgia’s membership apps ASAP, with all benefits to be retroactively granted. See how that plays with Vladimir Putative.

Never happen. NATO Is a creation of the United Nations. They do great on talking and truly stink at direct action. Look at the flop they've been in Afghanistan. Georgia has nothing we want or need at this moment. To engage in a land conflict there with the Russians? When we are already involved in major efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq with more terror targets looming ahead (Iran, Syria)? It would be strategic suicide since there is no way we could logistically support the effort and political suicide since there is no way the voters would approve of sending more of their sons and daughters into harm's way. Facing Putin at high noon on his own turf would guarantee a Democrat controlled White House & Congress for the next forty years. Imagine what the country would like like then.

[genefromjersey]

Here’s a differing opinion:

http://www.russiablog.org/2008/08/caucasus_violence_took_europe.php

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Tramonto]

Where are the pictures and footage of the 2000+ Ossedian civilians that were killed? 4 ossedian cities were completely destroyed by the Georgians. Where is the footage? Where are the picture? A Russian reporter claimed he witnessed Georgians throwing grenades at woman and children. Where is the evidence? There isn’t any. The number of Ossedian civilians killed is a complete lie. The Russians are conducting a very well organized invasion of our ally.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Unfortunately, Russian government hackers are sabotaging any attempts by Georgian media to put their information out on the web.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem.

US stocks surge on ‘watershed’ dollar jump
The Financial Times Ltd | August 8 2008 | Peter Garnham & John Authers
Posted on 08/08/2008 6:07:47 PM PDT by ricks_place
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058871/posts