Posted on 08/19/2008 7:14:09 AM PDT by edpc
Georgia is too far remote to CONTUS compared to Moskva for the U.S. to be stuffing our top-tiered assets into a gunny sack for the bear. We’d risk over-extension there.
Instead, the proper course of action is what is being done: arming the Georgians while pausing the Bear with hard diplomacy.
The longer the Russians are stalled in Georgia, the better, as the Georgians can mobilize more reserves and import more arms.
...and Russian MiGs shot down by Israeli anti-aircraft systems welded by Georgian troops poses no risk of global escalation. Ditto for Russian T-series tanks being taken out by Georgians welding South African anti-tank missiles.
Whereas an American flying a U.S. F-22 taking out the same MiG or tank *would* escalate the conflict.
And we have no interest in that.
Instead, we want to see the Bear bled by tiny Georgia until such time as Moskva decides that diplomacy and economics are better options than invasions and bombings.
The Humvees were there because of earlier US/Georgia joint military exercises. Now the Russians are stealing our stuff.
The article said it was for US-Georgian military exercises. I suppose to help train the Georgian Army, for whatever.
Why is it you think this is not worthy of breaking news. This story needs all the exposure it can get.Is it the mods opinion that the source isn’t credible?
By blowing up bridges, they have cut the country in half.
As much as I'd love to see a few A-10's chew us some aging Russian armor, I have to agree with you there. Ivan did himself no good. It might be best to for the US to be "diplomatic" and let Europe squirm for a little while. If Ivan controls all their fuel, maybe they'll finally meet those Kyoto goals they think are so damn important. Heh, heh, heh. Domestically, Ivan also managed wake up a few people before our election and demonstrate to them that CHANGE is not always good change.
That's my whole point. The more of our people involved in the humanitarian effort around the capitol and elsewhere in Georgia, particularly at that port, the better. I believe that will forestall the Bear.
Just the same, we also need to make sure those people can defend themselves and that they have significant support available near at hand should they require it.
Turkey, and some of our bases there are close enough to make air support possible if necessary, including the CAP I spoke of.
Using our military for the humanitarian effort was brilliant in this scenario. I believe that will be enough, but Turkey and our air bases there are close enough to provide the help necessary if some particular situation got out of hand.
I believe those forces could also provide the CAP I spoke of over Tiblisi if necessary.
Ourselves, the Candians, and the Poles will be usoing warships to escort the US Navy humanitarian ships into the Black Sea...those will be fairly top tiered assets as well and making that statement is critical so that Russia understands that there are teeth behind what we are doing...and teeth that are close enbough to bite on short notice if neccessary.
Dogs are barking now...
Yes they are. After the Soviet Union fell, I was willing to give Russia a second chance to rejoin civilized nations. Silly me! I felt sorry for Russia after Beslan, but no more. Ruck Fussia!
They really need to figure out a way to get a muzzle on Putin.
They were there in conjunction with exercises involving US Marines and National Guard units, which ended in late July.
They just had not been shipped back yet.
We'll get it back the same way the Soviets got back the Mig-25 that Victor Belinko flew to Japan... disassembled in crates.
Aye. I like what we’re doing. Consider that the Ukraine is more involved on our side now, too.
Don't hold your breath waiting for such concrete action, from either, but especially from the EU.
The professionals in the Pentagon take their orders from the POTUS. He works for us. We have to let him know what we think should be done.
That's the way it's supposed to work in a Representative Republic.
Thanks on the site...I got an update on it through today, the 19th.
Scroll down for the 18th and 19th.
In Russian eyes it is not a disaster. Put yourself in the shoes of the Kremlin hard-liners. They are all sitting there slapping each other on the back. In their eyes they have flexed their muscle and basically snubbed the nose of the west. Yes a gamble, but I can’t see any U.S. administration actually doing anything about it.
The Russians were hamstrung over Kosovo and it annoyed them badly. They could not assist Serbia even if they wanted to due to NATO airspace in the direct way. The Russians played their hand against a non-NATO nation. Even the Russians wouldn’t be as daft as to actually try it on a full NATO member. Even for the Russians that gamble of potential escalation is far too risky.
In the game of Rock, Paper, Scissors; Scissors cuts Paper. Rock breaks Scissors. And unfortunately, the Paper covers the Rock.
Why? A Humvee isn’t sovereign territory! It is just a piece of military hardware. When the Russians see all the fuss and reaction those images have created then they will probably order those vehicles to be taken back to Russia or simply destroy them in situ. To Russia it is potentially another way to snub the U.S.
It really is a good job that you are not in charge. What the heck is a CAP over Georgia going to do? George W. isn’t going to war with Russia over Georgia and especially in this situation. Why not e-mail your suggestion to the Whitehouse/Pentagon?
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