Heavy Fighting in South Ossetia

[Crazed Rabbit]

I've got to agree with TuffStuff; I see this as Russian action to prevent Georgia from joining NATO. I don't think they give one care in the world for the Ossetians (sp?).

Georgia helped us in Iraq and were looking to join NATO. I think we need to support them morally and to show Russia it can't bully everyone around anymore.

CR

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I've got to agree with TuffStuff; I see this as Russian action to prevent Georgia from joining NATO. I don't think they give one care in the world for the Ossetians (sp?).

I doubt the Russians care much for the Ossetians either. But the Ossetians within South Ossetia want the Russians, and the Ossetians within Russia want the Ossetians outside of Russia. Russia has good relations with Ossetia, and it is natural from them to aid Ossetia in its hour of need.

I think we need to support them morally and to show Russia it can't bully everyone around anymore.

I think that some people are missing the point. Georgia attacked South Ossetia and broke the peacekeeping deal they had with the Russians and the Ossetians. Russia did not cross the border until this was done.

[Marshal Murat]

EMFM, why do you hate freedom?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

EMFM, why do you hate freedom?

I don't, I love it. Which is why I am supporting Abkhazia and South Ossetia, who want to be free of Georgia.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It's a shame all three parties can't lose.

[Marshal Murat]

Alexander, I have no idea how serious you are, but just wait until the EU gets involved.
It might just get worse.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

If everyone is smart, we will let this regional conflict die away. This isn't worth a larger war. But then again, less has sparked much more.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Alexander, I have no idea how serious you are, but just wait until the EU gets involved.
It might just get worse.

I was pretty serious. The Russians are hypocrites at best, imperialists at worse. The Georgians and Ossetians are probably equally guilty of slaughter, though the Ossetians come off better because they were losing until the Russians got involved. If intervention turns military, that can only end in (more) tears.

[Rhyfelwyr]

I don't, I love it. Which is why I am supporting Abkhazia and South Ossetia, who want to be free of Georgia.

It seems this isn't just a case of a poor little oppresed people seeking independance. The problem in South Ossetia is riddled with fighting between clans, with no real Russian or Georgian identities. Russia has taken advantage of this to gain influence in the region by buying the support of many Ossetian clans through supplying them with arms, thus fuelling the disorder within Georgian territory.

Having gained the loyalty of clan leaders, Russia then sends in 'peacekeeper' troops to the region, claiming to defend 'Russian' people. So when Georgia attempts to establish control over its own territory, crippled by disorder, Georgia appears as the aggressor, despite the fact that this land is officially recognised by Russia as Georgian territory.

And after the fighting begins it soon becomes clear that Russia is not on a peackeeping mission, as can be seen from the bombings by the Russia jets.

Since historical comparisons with Germany are fun, it sounds like a similar situation to Prussia and Austria over Schleswig and Hostein. Austria (Georgia) wanted to send troops to protect its northern territory, but had to cross Prussian (Russian) occupied lands to do this. This made Austria appear as the aggressor, giving Prussia the chance to mobilise its own troops in 'self defence'. And in the end, the big guy won (what's the modern equivalent of needle guns? - they always remind me of Needlers from Halo). Unless a bigger guy now comes to the rescue...