NATO and the invasion of Georgia: How to contain Russia

Economist ^ | 8/21/08

[LibWhacker]

There is no quick fix, but an over-confident Russia is weaker than it looks

FROM Brussels this week NATO brandished a fist at Russia, warning it that there could be no “business as usual” so long as Russian forces remained in Georgia. The Russians, oddly, did not quail. If anything, President Dmitry Medvedev and his mentor and prime minister, Vladimir Putin, seem to be enjoying the world’s impotent indignation in the face of their new-found machismo. And why not? They know that the West will not fight for the territorial integrity of Georgia, a trisected statelet of only 4m people in the faraway Caucasus. They also know that they will face no serious economic punishment. As a collective, NATO may huff and puff, but the cold fact is that many of its big members need a lot of business with Russia to continue. Germany and others in Europe need to keep buying Russia’s oil and gas. America needs Russia, too, in order to secure vital foreign-policy objectives of its own, such as preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

[OldNavyVet]

I see the Russian occupation of Georgia as a telling indication of Russian stupidity. They are telling the World that they consider themselves — their own interests — above all on Earth.

This tiny speck we call Earth can do better than having miniscule tyrants running things.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Kick them out of the G8 and yank their 2014 winter totalitarian games. Karate kick that mangy bear right in it backside.

[Bender2]

If I were President, I'd send Georgia a few Patriot batteies, a Marine Expeditionary Force, the 101st Screaming Eagles, the 1st Armored Division and a few groups of F-16 and F-15. Then I'd tell Putin that these forces were backed up by the nuclear elements of the US Air Force and US Navy.

Like his Soviet forbearers', Putin and his cronies are not suicidal. They respect force and the willingness to use it.

[SampleMan]

How to contain the Russians?

Ask these Hungarians:

[Bender2]

If I were President, I'd send Georgia a few Patriot batteies, a Marine Expeditionary Force, the 101st Screaming Eagles, the 1st Armored Division and a few groups of F-16 and F-15. Then I'd tell Putin that these forces were backed up by the nuclear elements of the US Air Force and US Navy.

Like his Soviet forbearers', Putin and his cronies are not suicidal. They respect force and the willingness to use it.

[Bender2]

Sorry for the double post... you know how us Republican President s are when it come to computers!

[Clint Williams]

Hey Vlad, ol' buddy,

Your satellites may have noticed that our ICBMs have been fueled up and are ready to launch with their silo lids open. Why in fact one is lifting off right now and we anticipate a scheduled on-time arrival in Moscow in just 32 minutes if we don't send the self-destruct codes.

We think it would be a really nice goodwill gesture to the world if your folks decided to be well on their way at top speed back to your country well before then. We will be watching.

Have a nice day. Or forever. Whichever you prefer.

Your friend,
George

/ sarc

[MarMema]

Well I personally think it is more fun to put NATO in action in Georgia. After all, NATO is who they are upset with, right?

"US General John Craddock, NATO's top operational commander (R), meets Georgian refugees at a temporary shelter in Tbilisi. The top US military commander in Europe arrived in Tbilisi on Thursday for talks on rebuilding Georgia's armed forces that were routed by Russia two weeks ago."

[MarMema]

US General John Craddock, NATO's top operational commander (2L), speaks to reporters during a meeting with Georgian refugees at a temporary shelter in Tbilisi. The top US military commander in Europe arrived in Tbilisi on Thursday for talks on rebuilding Georgia's armed forces that were routed by Russia two weeks ago.

[MarMema]

U.S. General John Craddock, NATO's top operational commander (C), meets Georgian refugees at a temporary shelter in Tbilisi August 21, 2008.

[Cronos]

They are telling the World that they consider themselves — their own interests — above all on Earth.

That's true of any country. Besides, the other point to prove her is keeping face -- Georgia was taunting a giant.

[Cronos]

If I were President, I'd send Georgia a few Patriot batteies, a Marine Expeditionary Force, the 101st Screaming Eagles, the 1st Armored Division and a few groups of F-16 and F-15. Then I'd tell Putin that these forces were backed up by the nuclear elements of the US Air Force and US Navy

Well, Pres, what would you do if Russia sends it's own missiles, marines and airforce to Cuba?

Come on, Georgia is indefensible and you know that. Their joining NATO would have meant an encirclement of Russia -- something they do NOT want. It's as if Canada, Mexico, Cuba and the Bahamas joined some new Warsaw pact.

[Lasha]

Well, Pres, what would you do if Russia sends it’s own missiles, marines and airforce to Cuba?

Oh, you really think they don’t right? In July there was an article in one of Russia’s newpapers that Russia air force is actively exploring possibility of using airfields in Cuba for their strategic bombers and even made couple of trips to Havana, I think in February it was! Wake up and smell the coffee.

[Cronos]

I’ve not read that, though I’m not going to argue over something I don’t know and which could be true. But you ask yourself, what’s the reason for this? NATO extending way beyond it’s boundaries into Georgia and the Ukraine is just a little too much for the Russians to stomach.

[Lasha]

Expansion of NATO has nothing to do with this; Georgia happens to be in the middle of Russia's plans to obtain monopoly on energy supplies from entire Caspian region; they will do everything to maintain Afgan and Iran problems so that the only alternative is either Russia or Georgia... I mean they are idiots, but they are not stupid! They understand well that in case Georgia gets NATO membership, all these pipelines by-passing Russia will come true. However, if this fails, then they will accumulate so much cash they will be able to buy out entire Europe, and then US will be left alone facing Russia with Europe under its boot.

[Cronos]

you first say Expansion of NATO has nothing to do with this and then say They understand well that in case Georgia gets NATO membership, all these pipelines by-passing Russia will come true

That validates my statement. Besides, Georgia is indefensible. Remember that Armenia and Aergaijan support Russia not Georgia and Eastern Ukraine supports Russia not Georgia. Furthermore, the Russians have the higher moral ground -- AT LEAST IN CASE of South Ossetia, not for Abkhazia

[MarMema]

Azerbaijan supports Georgia.

[Lasha]

Azerbaijan supports Georgia. Armenia was forced to issue statement supporting Russia because it has Russian army stationed there. Georgia is the only window they have to the outter world - you really believe that you are saying?

You HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING! how the hell Russians have higher moral grounds when whatever happened there was entirely planned and orchestrated from Moscow - who gave you that bright idea?!

[Cronos]

They have the higher moral ground on S. Ossetia — where the Georgians would have “Georgianised” the Ossetians.