Free Republic

Excerpt - While it is almost certainly true that Moscow's action in the Ossetian and (for good measure) the Abkhazian enclave of Georgia has been, in a real sense, the revenge for the independence of Kosovo (on Feb. 14 Vladimir Putin said publicly that Western recognition of Kosovar independence would be met by intensified Russian support for irredentism in South Ossetia), it is extremely important to bear in mind that this observation does not permit us the moral sloth of allowing any equivalence between the two dramas. Perhaps one could mention just some of the more salient differences? 1. Russia...

Excerpt - TBILISI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - The United States expects to help Georgia rebuild its military following the conflict with Russia over breakaway South Ossetia, U.S. General John Craddock said on Thursday. "One would assume ... we would have to help them rebuild because they are a partner in the war on terror, they've been helpful. They are going to ask us, I am sure, to replace and rebuild," Craddock, who is also NATO's top operational commander in Europe, told reporters during a trip to Georgia. ~ snip ~

The Russian Navy has confirmed that a section of its Black Sea Fleet is en route to the Georgian coastline. The task force includes a missile cruiser. Military officials insist the operation is to help refugees and is not part of an operation to blockade Georgia. According to a source in the Russia’s defense ministry, three assault ships were earlier sent to the same destination. ‘This is not a sea-blockade, as a blockade would mean a state of war with Georgia, while we are not in a state of war’, the source said. Georgia’s National Security Council Secretary, Aleksandr Lomaya,...