COMMENTARY: Israel of the Caucasus?

The Washington Times ^ | Thursday, September 4, 2008 | Arnaud de Borchgrave

[happygrl]

For Russia, the geopolitical stars were in perfect alignment. The U.S. was badly overstretched and had no plausible way to talk tough without coming across as empty rhetoric. American resources have been drained by the Iraq and Afghan wars, and the war on terror. The European Union is still a military dwarf that swings no weight in the Kremlin. And the ineptitude of Georgia's leadership gave Russian leaders a huge new window of opportunity.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili evidently thought the U.S. would come to his side militarily if Russian troops pushed him back into Georgia after ordering an attack last Aug. 8 on the breakaway province of South Ossetia. And when his forces were mauled by Russia's counterattack, bitter disappointment turned to anger. Along with Abkhazia, Georgia lost two provinces.

Georgia also had a special relationship with Israel that was mostly under the radar. Georgia's Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili is a former Israeli who moved things along by facilitating Israeli arms sales with U.S. aid. "We are now in a fight against the great Russia," he was quoted as saying, "and our hope is to receive assistance from the White House because Georgia cannot survive on its own."

Israel began selling arms to Georgia seven years ago U.S. grants facilitated these purchases. Israeli UAV spy drones, made by Elbit Maarahot Systems, conducted recon flights over southern Russia, as well as into nearby Iran.

In a secret agreement between Israel and Georgia, two military airfields in southern Georgia had been earmarked for the use of Israeli fighter bombers in the event of preemptive attacks against Iranian nuclear installations. This would sharply reduce the distance Israeli fighter bombers would have to fly to hit targets in Iran. And to reach Georgian airstrips, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) would fly over Turkey.

[happygrl]

This is an interesting twist on the Israeli takedown of Iran's nuclear facilities.

[happygrl]

Ping to your lists

[Redbob]

" The U.S. ...had no plausible way to talk tough without coming across as empty rhetoric."

But hey! this approach works for the French!

[sinanju]

I used to respect this man’s work when I was a kid, but I have been watching him a very long time and in recent years he has become an anti-semitist and conspiracy-monger. Arnaud de Borchgrave still manages to sound genteel and authoritative, as once he actually was, but he can no longer be taken any more seriously than your average Kos/DU whack-job.

[rmlew]

These people seem to forget that Israel (foolishly) refused to upgrade Georgia's M-g-21s and sell it offensive weapons, or even anti-aircraft missiles, lest Russia get annoyed.
And Arnaud (who fails to realize the Jerusalem is Israel's capitol) also cannot understand that Russia set up the attack on Georgia and then claimed Georgia was invading, when it responded to Russia-Ossetian attacks. Or maybe I give him too much credit. He does understand and he is lying to serve his political ends.

[rmlew]

These people seem to forget that Israel (foolishly) refused to upgrade Georgia's M-g-21s and sell it offensive weapons, or even anti-aircraft missiles, lest Russia get annoyed.
And Arnaud (who fails to realize the Jerusalem is Israel's capitol) also cannot understand that Russia set up the attack on Georgia and then claimed Georgia was invading, when it responded to Russia-Ossetian attacks. Or maybe I give him too much credit. He does understand and he is lying to serve his political ends.

[MarMema]

ping