How about a brief history of the area? Who are the South Ossetians? Why did Georgia shell them? What are each groups interests that are in conflict?
We appreciate your perspective on this.
I don't have one.
I thought I did, but then came across this fellow's blog.
That part of the world is one helluva mess.
We can joke about sitting back and munching popcorn, and I have made plenty of those wisecracks.
But then, there are real people bleeding.
I continued researching. The more I saw, the more it seems that South Ossetia is comparable to a boil on your skin. (look at the map). Russia has infected the area. Putin doesn't want Georgia to be successful and join NATO. Plus there's a strategic oil pipeline that runs straight through Georgia that Russia would like.
Topographically, there are mountains separating Russia from Georgia and Ossetia. The fact that Russia had so many tanks there so quickly, proves to me they were wanting to fight before any fighting started. I read (doesn't mean it's true) that Russians were in South Ossetia firing into Georgia, which caused Georgia to "crack down". This would make a lot of sense.
Georgia took the bait, Russia rolled on in.
Have you stopped beating your wife?