We might have to seize the initiative and put together a coalition of the willing who will go in, with US protection, and report what's going on, where and when. I don't care what you call it, but it will be a kick ass and take names operation. Not to separate the factions but rather to make it possible to get factual, objective information out to the rest of the world.
This ‘skirmish’ is of great importance and if not handled properly, and quickly, runs the risk of escalating to be a huge thing. We make this mistake every time. All sorts of propaganda starts flowing out of the area, every piece of which is intended to bolster the claims of the side who is putting it out. The sides do one thing, but report something entirely different.
Unless we set up a system to get reliable information out of the battle zone(s) we just spinning our wheels.
There's no doubt Georgia took the bait and really stepped in ‘it’. And just as soon as some order is restored they have to get a really forceful and direct message from those who are going to have to clean up this mess they started. We're pulling your bacon out of the fire this time, but only because we failed to have a handle on the situation. Next time you step out on your own and bite off more than you can chew you're on your own. Period.
I am just so sick and tired of countries, Iran and Russia for instance, being able to act with impunity to mess with their neighbors and then be given weeks and months to continue the killing while the rest of the world wrings its hands and tries to decide a course of action.
BS, invade another country's territory with hostile forces and you are the bad guy.
The first few times we do this it's going to be ugly, very ugly, but only because we've let it go on for so long. The understanding among those who wish us ill is that they will have a considerable time period to do their bad deeds before we, if we ever, get around to dealing with them.
Iran in Iraq, Russia in Georgia, just two examples.
I know this is radical thinking, but we're no closer to having a system to handle these situations that we were when N. Viet Nam started its thing in S. Viet Nam.
Very good post....a realistic assessment with strength. I disagree with the observation though that “Georgia stepped into it.”.. I base my opinion on the recent observations and understanding on CSPAN’s panel discussion (posted on Cspan’s video collection) with Ralph Peters, the Commander of the US Training of Georgia’s army, etc. these historians and political and military experts said that was not the correct perspective to take.
I think it is unfair to allow russia to go into Georgia (Ossetia ) and set up a ‘pre launch’ set up. The two were in contstant offense and defense postures and military “skirmishes” until one time, the russians just arbitraily chose the time and went in.
Other than that perspective I have appreciated your post.