Russia seizes Georgia base, opens second front

AP ^ | Aug 11, 2008 | MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI

[Jeff Head]

TBILISI, Georgia — Russia opened a second front of fighting in Georgia on Monday, sending armored vehicles beyond two breakaway provinces and seizing a military base and police stations in the country's west, the Georgian government and a Russian official said.

GEORGIAN FORCES

RUSSIAN FORCES

[pgkdan]

I'm afraid you're right. Putin and Medveded making threats against Poland and the Baltic States today should help to clear everyone's heads about Russia's real ambitions.

If we let this stand and do nothing to help a staunch ally like Georgia then Russia will feel free to exert it's power anywhere it chooses. What do we do when a Nato ally is attacked? They've been leading us around by our noses in Iran for years and now this. How much is Bush willing to take?

[UCANSEE2]

“This is the reason why we should never have adopted the one theater level of military preparedness.”

"True that!"

Yep. But it all boils down to the same thing. What will the US do to respond?

[RasterMaster]

If Bush had any stones, he’d have added something to the ‘I looked into Putin’s eyes and saw’ statement:

“But I looked into Putin’s heart and saw nothing but a soul-less KGB communist.” Once a commie, always a commie!

[Mo1]

It will also send a strong message to Russia that their old ways of doing business are over.
Would Russia dare attack the President while he is on a peace mission? I think not. I think they would be forced to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table.
The negotiations would be ugly. Georgia would have to give something to placate the Russians so they would not lash out in humiliation. But the paramount goal of preserving Georgia's independence would be obtained.
This could be accomplished without America firing a shot. But it would only work with the Russians knowing a war with America would result if they harmed the President on his peace mission.

I don't trust Russia

[SevenMinusOne]

You don't go to war overnight - Understand that - You certainly don't start a world war in such a manner -Furthermore it is Georgia that willingly choose to create this current situation - There can be consequences -

Especially with where Russia standing currently is - Economics and logistics involved as well - That Georgia did this action on their own....with no heads-up given....Is reason for us to pause -

There are ways to support Georgia (and we are) outside of getting in a shooting war......that should be the last resort.

Your "that sounds like a lie to me"....is intellectually childish....This is the big leagues here....Not a game.

[pangaea6]

I agree. McCain called this one correctly. He looked into Putin's eyes and saw evil.

That said, I'm sure GWB and our intelligence saw something happening, may even be somewhat in on the deal, we'll give you Georgia for Iran. I don't know but Georgia was either very stupid or somehow provoked by Russia or false intelligence to make a dumb move.

Why would Russia move now when we're wrapping up Iraq and not a couple of years ago when we were knee deep in it. They aren't that dumb either. There's a wink and nod in here somewhere.

Here's my Pelican brief take: Remember the attempted assassination of GWB while in Georgia? Coulda been an effort by Georgia leader to blame attack on S. Ossentia separatists to provoke US defense of its actions to take S. Ossentia. Our intelligence found out it was really Georgia that was behind the thrown grenade and GWB is letting Vlad take care of the revenge with a nod toward letting Israel take out Iran. We possibly could've fed Georgia some intelligence to make them move. This move now by Georgia and Russia's readiness to attack just doesn't add up. I think the other Baltic states in NATO are safe.

[Jeff Head]

Great proposaa Kristinn...but it may be too late for it.

The Rusisians are moving through Gori as we speak. The final defense of Tiblisi has to be in order.

If Bush could get in their quickly enough...he might could pull it off. Otherise, we already have transport aircraft flying Georgian troops in there and we need to protect them and can perhaps fall back on a plan like that mentioned above in post 173.

Either way, something direct and something audacious and bold in the face of this Russian agreewssion is called for and must be forthcoming...but also something measured and communicative enough to keep as much a lid on this and confined to Georgia...and then those provinces as possible.

[kristinn]

The trip would be announced before hand with a “request” for a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the visit. Putin must be forced to make a hard choice.

[American Quilter]

Well said, Kristinn.

[Uncle Miltie]

"My guess is that Georgia is pretty much finished."

Can you say "Sudetenland?"

[kristinn]

Yes, time is a-wasting. My hope is that the President is on his way to Tblisi now. Short of war, this is the only way to stop Russia in its tracks.

[lizol]

In defense of honey against the bees

[autumnraine]

Liberals only care about people when it makes them look like altruistic lovers of mankind, or if it is a chance to say something Anti-American. Because being anti-establishment is “cool” and most never grow up.

[DoughtyOne]

I didn’t realize Gori was that close to T’bilisi. If the U.S. doesn’t have a plan in the works by now, Georgia has fallen.

[pgkdan]

Such stupidity in these times! Russia is helping Iran not us. This will isolate Turkey from NATO forces in the South as Syria and Iran seize control of Lebanon.

This is the kind of blather that comes from the CIA and Foggy Bottom these days. Makes you wonder whose side they're on.

[autumnraine]

Well, why did we bother trying to end the cold war if we are just going to sit back and let them reassemble the Soviet Union?

So I agree with you wholeheartedly!

[kristinn]

I agree we need to keep the Russians from taking Tblisi. This is going to turn out ugly no matter what we do. Putin has already decided that.

[Mo1]

This is what Sky news is reporting

Russia Denies Capturing Gori

[SevenMinusOne]

You people ready to declare "defeat" for freedom (or Bush) every time situations don't go exactly to plan....or aren't all wrapped up with rainbows and butterfly's in 10 minutes.....are to weak-kneed to deal with -

Reality is this is a complex situation (made more complex by Georgia bringing it about).....but this is in no way a defeat for freedom / nor GWB.....

[kristinn]

I don’t trust the Russians either. But they are sane, unlike the jihadists.