Illarionov: Russia Lost the Georgian War

Yezhednevny Zhurnal ^ | August 13th, 2008 | Andrei Illarionov

[Khepri]

Andrei Illarionov , a liberal economist and former policy advisor to the Russian president, has released his conclusions on the war in Georgia. The conflict, he argues, was a “brilliant provocation carefully planned and successfully carried out by the Russian leadership.”

However, the Russian leadership did not achieve its main goals– removing Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili from power and changing Georgia’s political regime. In Illarionov’s opinion, Georgia’s NATO aspirations have only been heightened.

By leading forces into the territory of a foreign government, Russia has been internationally recognized as an aggressor, according to the economist. Georgia, on the other hand, became an internationally recognized victim.

Illarionov believes that Russia has become completely isolated in its foreign policy, as only Cuba supported Russia’s Georgian campaign.

“The G8 has, in effect, become the G7, ” Illarionov asserts.

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[Khepri]

I still say that they were suckered into this.

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump

[ken21]

if by “they” you mean the georgians, yeah.

i heard on the radio that the russians were sending in forward groups to harass the georgians.

and the georgians responded.

it’s a huge pimple, long over due for eruption.

[coconutt2000]

Georgia, on the other hand, became an internationally recognized victim.

Now Americans should be able to locate Georgia the country without first looking in the South Eastern United States.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I still say that they were suckered into this.

Russia??

[dr_who]

“They”?

[dr_who]

Progress!

[MarMema]

as only Cuba supported Russia’s Georgian campaign.

ROFL!!!

[BenLurkin]

I vote somebody parks a semi full of ANFO into the middle of this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roki_Tunnel

and then detonates it.

[Revolting cat!]

“They”?

"Who"?

[SeeSharp]

6. Russia has found itself in almost total isolation in foreign policy terms. Only Cuba supported Russia’s intervention in Georgia. Neither Iran, nor Venezuela or Uzbekistan, not even Belarus said a word in Russia’s support.

I would not expect support for Russian imperialism from Uzbekistan. But lack of support from the others has got to be embarrassing.

[Khepri]

No, I do mean Russia.

Here's the senario;

Russia has said they will not accept NATO countries on their borders. By invading Georgia and threatening Poland with nuclear attack we now have the perfect excuse to admit them. The former eastern block countries have the perfect excuse for accepting, particularly Ukraine.

Next we see the result outlined in the article.

After that, Pelosi and the Demwits are feigning blocking drilling our own oil. This action re-affirms the idea we need to drill our own oil.

This is a classic win by losing play.

Is it a done deal yet? No, but if Georgia only gives up those two breakaway regions and comes out of it with a NATO membership I say they win.

[PetroniusMaximus]

Check this out:

“11. The war helped reveal the true faces of some so-called [Russian] liberals and democrats, who previously had condemned the “imperial syndrome,” but when it manifested itself, quickly caved in to the regime, calling for an attack on Tbilisi and for the reinforcement of Russia’s defence and law enforcement agencies.”

There is no true opposition in Russia to Putin.

[AprilfromTexas]

South Ossetia had been shelling surrounding Georgian villages for days prior to Georgia’s response on 8-8-08 that lead Russia to invade...and Russia conveniently had tanks and troops ready to ‘aid’ South Ossetia. Once Russia invaded they took the opportunity to destroy infrastructure and military assets. I think Georgia was suckered into this too. Interesting that it occurred the week of the Olympics.

[VaBthang4]

"I still say that they were suckered into this."

Cuz ur an idiot?

[Khepri]

I vote somebody parks a semi full of ANFO into the middle of this

Ka-ching. Or it is ka-boom?...:)

[Khepri]

Cuz ur an idiot?

Ad hominem, Go away little boy.

[Khepri]

There is no true opposition in Russia to Putin.

Good eye. And like the author pointed out, they've outted themselves. We know who the phoneys are now.

[Khepri]

South Ossetia had been shelling surrounding Georgian villages for days prior to Georgia’s response on 8-8-08 that lead Russia to invade...

Good point. I kinda sticking to a triple cross of sorts....let the Russians think they are luring us (Georgia) in. As I keep pointing out, no one can tell me we didn't see that convenient build-up. As you note Georgia waited several days before they made a move. Do we really believe there was zero consultation with the west before they acted? I think we need to give ourselves a little more credit here that's all.

[dr_who]

No, as in “what”?