Bush Orders Military to Deliver Aid to Georgia

Fox News ^ | 08-13-08

[Bokababe]

Ticks me off that I can't post this article because AP is such a pain in the butt.

But here's the link: The Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili is claiming that the US is planning to take over the Georgian airports and ports. The State Department, however, denies it.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

useless

[justa-hairyape]

Basically what that was about IMHO is that the US told the Georgian President that they were bringing humanitarian aid via military aircraft and ship and that we would of course secure the landing zones and docking areas. That somehow translated into we would control the landing zones and docking ares. The Pentagon quickly had to come out and clarify that position. For some reason we still care somewhat about what the bear things. Probably has something to do with all those nuclear weapons.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

most europeans are dumbasses. they won’t even defend themselves

[My hearts in London - Everett]

You are correct. With the internal conflict and potential for external conflict there was no way Georgia was going to become a NATO member in the foreseeable future.

[Gilbo_3]

Thanks for that honest analysis...

[chickpundit]

Sure, I agree defending freedom isn’t the sole reason the U.S. is trying to stop Russia. We should seek to defend our own interests, and that includes keeping Russia from getting control of the oil pipeline and from increasing their sphere of influence.

However, it is important that we support our allies. Georgia has supported us in Iraq when few others have. They have (had) the third largest number of troops in Iraq. If we leave them hanging, how can others trust us?

We must not allow Russia’s hand to be strengthened. If Russia becomes emboldened, so will Iran. It certainly looks like they’re working together to create worry and uncertainty. (Not to mention Biblical prophecy in Ezekiel points to an alliance between these two nations against Israel, but that’s a subject for another time.)

Sometimes I feel like going all Ron Paul ... withdrawing and letting the Europeans and everyone else fend for themselves, but I don’t know if that’s responsible or practical in today’s world. Many nations complain about the U.S., but I think this world would be a dark place indeed if we ceased to stand up for what is right. I don’t know ... perhaps that’s too idealistic.

[WoofDog123]

“However, it is important that we support our allies. Georgia has supported us in Iraq when few others have. They have (had) the third largest number of troops in Iraq. If we leave them hanging, how can others trust us?’

In terms of national interests (not fortune 100 interests a la china), I am a big supporter of Realpolitik, and agree, for this and other reasons.

[rdl6989]

bttt

[Old Teufel Hunden]

To get into the Black Sea you have to go through the Bosporus straits and I believe it is the narrowest straits in the world. Too shallow and narrow for a carrier to get through. Now, they can sit outside the Black Sea and launch planes (like they do for the Persian Gulf) in the Aegean sea, but I believe they would have to get permission from Turkey to fly over their airspace.

Other smaller ships that carry planes can possibly get through or the carriers can launch planes from the Aegean and easily get permission to fly over Turkey for relief type missions.

[ichabod1]

I jes think Ivan ought to have to pay for what they broke.