Posted on 08/09/2008 11:10:06 PM PDT by neverdem
GORI, Georgia — The conflict between Russia and the former Soviet republic of Georgia moved toward full-scale war on Saturday, as Russia sent warships to land ground troops in the disputed territory of Abkhazia and broadened its bombing campaign across Georgia.
The fighting that had sharply escalated when Georgian forces tried to retake the capital of South Ossetia, a pro-Russian region that won de facto autonomy from Georgia in the early 1990s, appeared to be developing into the worst clashes between Russia and a foreign military since the invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
Shortly before dawn on Sunday, Georgia’s Interior Ministry said that Russian bombers had begun striking military facilities adjacent to the civilian airport at Tbilisi. The explosions could be heard in the city, said Shota Utiashvili, a ministry official.
He said that Russia had built up large forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia — breakaway regions that have support from Moscow — including as many as 300 artillery pieces in South Ossetia alone. Russian forces, he said, were also poised just over the border at Larsi, a checkpoint, where they could open a third line of ground attack.
As Russia moved more forces into the region and continued aerial bombing, it appeared determined to occupy both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakashvili, said Russia’s ambitions were even more extensive. He declared that Georgia was in a state of war, and said in an interview that Russia was planning to seize ports and an oil pipeline and to overthrow his government.
Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia left the Olympics in China...
--snip--
Georgian officials said that Russian warplanes had attacked the major Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, operated by British Petroleum, that carries oil to the West from Asia, but that the pipeline had not been struck...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Exactly. But Russian’s may pull out upon ‘the resignation’ of the Georgian President and install there own puppet leader without a complete formal surrend and occupation. I suppose the semantics at that point either way are irrelevent.
C'est tres passe, mon ami.
The Dem softy approach is dead in the water. Americans know that our military must be maintained and invigorated: continued don't ask don't tell, mil research on advanced weapons, and focused recruitment, increased pay ( that investment is the best we can make as a society).
This will be the result of Russian adventurism in Georgia,Iran, the Carribean, The Mediterranean, and elsewhere. They go Bear. We lock and load. Buy Raytheon and United Technologies stock!
You just nailed all the salient points.
He may not mean to be, but Putin most assuredly is helping the Republican cause.
Who in their widest imaginings can conclude that Barrak Obama can run with the likes of Putin, Amhadinijad, Kim Jong Il,and all the other totalitarian sharks loose in the world who are pulling the oil and nuke strings??
The Messiah would be chewed up and spit out the same way Jimmy Carter was by these bandit warriors. And we are still paying the price for that!
This will help John McCain win the battle for middle America, and hang the Messiah out to dry.
The money comes from a complicit Europe buying Russian oil.
“I think the Georgians will soon surrender because besides the obvious issue of many Georgians still prefer to be allied with Russia for economic stability reasons”
That use to be the case up until Russia starting blockading Georgian goods several years back. Up until now the Georgian trade to other countries such as Europe and US represented 48% and growing. There was a lot a growth to be done and there has been quite a bit of foreign investment since most of the big Georgian banks starting trading their stock on London Exchange. Of course that is done now. They had an excellent wine producing industry going.
I have never trusted the Russians. They will lie in a New York minute. Just like the Rats.
Great powers dont retreat forever, and it was a bit much to imagine Moscow would let its soldiers be killed without punishing retribution.
Sakashvili is on his way out. Either his voters will rid his country of him, or a someone is going to give him a Polonium meal.
Agreed. Georgia is going to become smaller by at least two states. Sakashvili maybe thought the West would rush to his aid. Far from it other than the usual posturing because of support for Georgia.
First Georgian Russian War images becoming available
(we must support and aid Georgia)
VArious Russian and Georgian news outlets | 8 Augt 2008 | Jeff Head
Posted on 08/08/2008 10:43:34 AM PDT by Jeff Head
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058674/posts
Georgia says Russian tanks mean ‘war’ in South Ossetia
Times Online | August 8, 2008 | Philippe Naughton
Posted on 08/08/2008 3:37:46 PM PDT by neverdem
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058793/posts
U.S. tells Russia to pull forces out of Georgia
Reuters | August 8, 2008
Posted on 08/08/2008 10:07:02 PM PDT by Flavius
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058921/posts
Russia says has control of South Ossetia capital
Reuters (excerpt) | August 9, 2008
Posted on 08/09/2008 1:30:46 AM PDT by HAL9000
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058947/posts
Turkey agrees to supply Georgia electricity
Reuters | 8/8/08 | Orhan Coskun
Posted on 08/09/2008 5:50:08 AM PDT by a_Turk
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2058994/posts
Georgia In State Of War With Russia
SKYNEWS | 08-09-08 | Sky NEws
Posted on 08/09/2008 6:55:15 AM PDT by tcrlaf
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059027/posts
Raping Georgia: Russia Invades An American Ally
New York Post | 8/9/2008 | Ralph Peters
Posted on 08/09/2008 8:17:55 AM PDT by dr_who
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059061/posts
Georgia: Russia enters into ‘war’ in South Ossetia
Telegraph (UK) | 1:29AM BST 09 Aug 2008 | Adrian Blomfield in Gori
Posted on 08/09/2008 5:29:39 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059223/posts
‘Invasion of Georgia’ a ‘3 a.m. moment’
Yahoo/Politico | 8/9/08 | Ben Smith
Posted on 08/09/2008 5:51:41 PM PDT by dervish
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059233/posts
Russia Rejects Cease-Fire With Georgia
CBS
Posted on 08/09/2008 5:53:37 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059235/posts
Russia’s Ceasefire Terms
Civil.GE | 10 Aug.’08 / 05:56 | Civil Georgia, Tbilisi
Posted on 08/09/2008 8:07:19 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059278/posts
RAW: Russian Airstrike Against Civilian Area (Plus Aftermath). (Video only)
live leak | today | unk.
Posted on 08/09/2008 10:30:40 PM PDT by robomatik
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2059316/posts
Georgia ‘pulls out of S Ossetia’
BBC | , Sunday, 10 August 2008 06:17 UK 05:17 GMT | BBC Staff
Posted on 08/09/2008 11:00:57 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2059326/posts
Thanks.
A Russian autocrat acting like a Tsar reminds everyone of the Nazis?
Russians Push Past Separatist Area to Assault Central Georgia-(regime change Russian turn)
Taunting the Bear ( Regarding the War over South Ossetia ) This is a good review, IMHO of course.
From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
an unsympathetic look at Georgia’s leadership:
Georgia: Reckless Saakashvili took on Russian Goliath Putin
Michael Evans, Defence Editor
Georgia’s attempt to seize control of the secessionist South Ossetia region has been a gamble too far, reckless in its timing and founded on a fundamental misjudgment.
President Saakashvili of Georgia thought that he had the West on his side but he has been outsmarted by Vladimir Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, who now holds all the cards.
Although Mr Saakashvili has had American military personnel training his army to serve in Iraq, there was never any question of Washington taking on the Russians on his behalf.
The military adventure had all the hallmarks of rushed planning and a fingers-crossed strategy, launched in the hope and expectation that the Russians would not react, but that if they did, the Americans and Georgia’s other Nato friends would come to his aid in one form or another. With President Bush at the Beijing Olympics, was, perhaps, the US eye off the ball when the Russians moved in?
After only three days, the Georgian leader has had to pull back....
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4500160.ece
Thanks for the link. I wonder what we pay the CIA and State Department for?
Prayers for the people of Georgia.
Great powers don't last forever either. Like everything earthly, they are mortal.
ff
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT FYI Ping.....to number 6
Source for the OOB?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.