Mutiny in Georgia?
posted at 8:46 am on May 5, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The beleaguered republic of Georgia claims to have stopped a military mutiny in its tracks, almost literally, as it squelched an uprising in one of its tank battalions. President Mikhail Saakashvili accuses Russia of plotting the rebellion as part of an assassination attempt. Russia calls the rebellion a response to the “crazy” policies of Saakashvili, but they haven’t left Georgia as they promised, either:
A tank battalion has mutinied at a military base near Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, the government has said.
Tanks and armoured personnel carriers are being sent to quell the rebellion at the Mukhrovani base, witnesses say.
The authorities say the mutiny is part of an attempted coup – linked to Russia and aimed at assassinating President Mikhail Saakashvili.
Russia’s envoy to Nato described the charges as “mad”. The trouble comes a day before Nato exercises in Georgia.
Georgia says that they’ve isolated the rebellion, and that they’ve followed the plot for two months before putting an end to it:
President Mikhail Saakashvili says a mutiny in a tank battalion based near Georgia’s capital is an isolated case and the situation in the country is fully under control.
The defense minister says the base where the mutiny occurred Tuesday has been sealed off.
The mutiny followed an announcement by the Interior Ministry that it had uncovered a Russia-supported plot to overthrow the government and had arrested the suspected organizer.
Saakashvili said in a televised address that the government was taking the mutiny seriously but it was an isolated incident. He said the situation in the country was under control.
Russia promised to leave Georgia as part of the peace agreement brokered by France. Thus far, they have reneged on that agreement. If they haven’t plotted to assassinate Saakashvili, they’ve certainly acted to destabilize him and attempt to absorb Georgia as a de facto satellite, if not annex it.
This eruption comes on the eve of NATO exercises with Georgia, which were meant to send a signal to Russia to back off. Russia has apparently sent a countersignal to NATO. Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have openly criticized NATO engagement with Georgia, cooling relations with the military alliance since last summer over their support for Georgia. The mutiny may well convince NATO to postpone the exercises indefinitely, which only benefits Russia in this instance.
Russia wants to play for the gas and oil pipelines coming out of the Caucasus, which mainly serve Europe. If Putin and Medvedev control Georgia’s energy output, they will control most of Europe’s imports — and therefore put itself in position to make the EU a vassal state of sorts to a new Russian empire. Even an engineered coup d’etat that puts a Putin lackey in charge of Georgia would be sufficient for those aims. Will NATO hold firm in its support for Georgia’s elected government, or will Europe and the Obama administration hit reverse?
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Quick, Obama, send them a reset button!
jgapinoy on May 5, 2009 at 8:49 AM
It took me a couple of minutes to realize this was not about Georgia seceding from the Union. I need my coffee.
pifactorial on May 5, 2009 at 8:50 AM
If Obama’s will to stand up to Putin is all that stands between Georgia and becoming a vassal state in the new Russian empire, Georgia is so far past screwed they can’t even see the light from screwed anymore.
Immolate on May 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
They’re getting uppity in Alabama too.
Akzed on May 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
I thought this was the US for a second. heh.
Mommypundit on May 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
beat me. haha.
Mommypundit on May 5, 2009 at 8:52 AM
I’m e-mailing and chatting with friends in Tbilisi this morning, and people aren’t overly anxious.
It does appear this is a fairly isolated incident, but whether this was, in fact, a Russian backed coup remains pretty murky.
We’ll know far more over the next few days.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Oh gee, the Russian Military invaded, and then didnt go home like they promised. Like that surprised anyone one with a functional brain.
doriangrey on May 5, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Obama:
“stroke, stroke, stroke. Back faster”
He’ll set the record in the backstroke is my guess.
todler on May 5, 2009 at 8:52 AM
Send Jimmy Carter over he is an expert on georgia !
/Joe biden
William Amos on May 5, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Maybe we could send Joe Biden over to deal with it. Didn’t Putin request him specifically last time there were problems in Georgia?
BigD on May 5, 2009 at 8:54 AM
thought this was the US for a second. heh.
Mommypundit on May 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
we could only hope.
unseen on May 5, 2009 at 8:55 AM
“Bravely bold Obama, rode forth from Camelot”
and almost fought the viscious chicken of Bristol, while personally wetting himself at the battle of Badon Hill.
Immolate on May 5, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Foreign affairs are above the Obama’s pay grade. This won’t make much news because he is totally clueless.
seven on May 5, 2009 at 8:55 AM
“Will NATO hold firm in its support for Georgia’s elected government, or will Europe and the Obama administration hit reverse?”
Reverse course? That sounds suicidal for Europe to take that stance. Unfortunatly from what we’re seeing it sounds typical of Obama though.
DanMan on May 5, 2009 at 8:55 AM
I can report the streets of Atlanta are in the control of the govt as of right now.
angryed on May 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM
A nice Ipod loaded with Ogabe’s greatest hits and sent to Putin would probably quell this situation quite nicely. Does Apple make them in Communist-red?
Bishop on May 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Bush stood by and did nothing while bombs were raining in Georgia. I do not expect much from a WEAK leader anyway
nice343 on May 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Bishop on May 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM
Don’t forget the DVDs.
cs89 on May 5, 2009 at 8:59 AM
nice343 on May 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Revisionist history.
cs89 on May 5, 2009 at 8:59 AM
It looks like two possibilities here…
1) It really was a Russian-sponsored “mutiny,” or…
2) Saakashvili intended to use the military to clear out the opposition protests with the military, and some of the commanders refused. Thus, this “mutiny” would be simple disobedience.
It’s not the first time Saakashvili has concocted an elaborate scheme for his own purposes. This could get very interesting, very quickly.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM
I do not expect much from a WEAK leader anyway
nice343 on May 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM
You shouldn’t talk about Dear Leader like that. After all, he’s got Smart Power!
I can hear him now:
kingsjester on May 5, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Thinking this was in the states, Obama has already dispatched ACORN to tackle the issue. He’s so calm, cool and collected.
pjean on May 5, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Bush stood by and did nothing while bombs were raining in Georgia. I do not expect much from a WEAK leader anyway
nice343 on May 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Bush isn’t POTUS anymore, Ogabe is, so time to man-up.
Maybe you can post as “money2″ again and then agree with yourself.
Bishop on May 5, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Shades of Crimson Tide.
Shy Guy on May 5, 2009 at 9:02 AM
I do not expect much from a WEAK leader anyway
nice343 on May 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Me neither.
That’s why Georgia is in trouble.
Hussein is busy with photo ops and reading books to his dog.
artist on May 5, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Was reading through this story this morning and as struck how perfect the Russian foreign minister is with his denials. Putin put one slick SOB in charge of his foreign policy. Lavrov is right out of a Alan Drury or Tom Clancy novel.
Next up, Putin pounds his shoe on the podium at the U.N. and Barry signs off on reforming the Soviet Union.
Limerick on May 5, 2009 at 9:05 AM
as soon as Obama got elected I said Putin would do something in Georgia(i.e. finish the job) and possibly Ukraine as soon as warm weather hit…..and here we go.
jp on May 5, 2009 at 9:08 AM
I wouldn’t doubt it. It wouldn’t be the first time that America’s heart strings were pulled to offer support of someone who didn’t deserve it. Hating Russia is just so easy. America would be well served to think a little bit before acting. Despite what McCain said, no, we are not all Georgians. This is not our fight.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Yep, a bunch of us were hollerin that Georgia was a test bed for taking back the Ukraine. NATO did nothing and Putin filed that bit of information away for use later.
Limerick on May 5, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Disagree. Whether or not we are “all Georgians,” much is at stake here, economically, politically, strategically. A failure here by the US would cascade onto many fronts, in many forms.
An argument could be made that this IS the fight we must win.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:12 AM
“Pootie Poot.”
Akzed on May 5, 2009 at 9:14 AM
It will only be a matter of time until Georgie falls to Russian control. It’s always been part of their strategy concerning the near abroad. Ukraine and other neighboring states will fall to the Russians as well, eventually. The only nation that could prevent this is the United States, but Obama has no inclination to actually stand up to the Russians. However, Russia is deluded if they think they can recapture their empire. They have never and will never be stable enough to maintain control over the entire region.
Stickeehands on May 5, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Damn, got my hopes up momentarily that the secessions had finally begun here.
I think that TIC (teleprompter in chief), believing “Lincolnesque” to be a wholly inadequate description of HIMself, actually wants to preside over a civil war, so he can be “great” too.
Why else would he be doing all this? (sorry to go OT, but I really had my hopes up there.)
Fishoutofwater on May 5, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Rahm: Sir, there has been an uprising in Georgia.
Obama: Georgia? I thought Texas would be first.
Rahm: Not that Georgia! The Georgia near Russia.
Obama: Oh, you had me worried for a second. Excuse me why I finish my waffle.
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Amazing. 100 days in and we’re in headlong strategic retreat across the globe boys and girls. However they want to spin it won’t change the fact that the entire game board is in retreat. Strategic retrenchment is not a pretty thing musch less so when we have forces committed overtly in 2 theaters and covertly in so many others.
elduende on May 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
You mean the Overcharge button.
jeffn21 on May 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Putin is replacing city mayors also. It seems he is a control freak and is trying to centralize planning.
seven on May 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Maybe he can hire Obama.
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 9:19 AM
I don’t understand why we have become the world’s policemen. How would the US have failed if Russia does something to Georgia? Or if Georgia has a civil war within its own boarders how would it be an American failure?
Maybe I am just too naive to understand why America gets sick when Nairobi sneezes. Would you recommend we send troops? If America were attacked, I’d expect US military response to keep America from ‘failing’. But I don’t see how Georgia failing (internally or externally) is a US failure unless we want to make them a US state.
It’s not our business. If anyone, it is the EU’s business. I’m tired of fighting wars for other countries and paying for it with money we don’t have.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Obama is replacing CEO’s also. It seems he is a control freak and is trying to centralize planning.
seven on May 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Fixed?
artist on May 5, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Yeah but the real question is will the Russians then move on Belarus and the Baltic states. If that happens the rest of the former satellites will be in a world of hurt and Russia will have undue influence over the economies and governments of those Central European nations.
Stickeehands on May 5, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Here’s a good start.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Even if we do send troops, there is no way any authorization to go into Russia from Georgia would occur. Russia would know this and bomb our troops from their side of the boarder. If we want to go to war, lets not just put our troops in position to be target practice for our enemies. If we want to go to war, lets go to war and finish it without recognizing boarders. We won’t. We’ll fight in our little box with one hand tied behind our back wasting money and lives and gaining nothing.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2009 at 9:24 AM
So’s the auto industry and the financial sector.
BacaDog on May 5, 2009 at 9:26 AM
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:24 AM
How about instead of authorizing another war for oil, we authorize offshore drilling? Both would require acts of congress and both would have the effect of mitigating the ‘problem’ you suggest there. Only authorizing offshore drilling would both add to our coffers and not cost American lives. War would take American lives and take from our coffers.
Nah. . . let’s fight another unwinnable war for ZERO benefit to ourselves.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2009 at 9:26 AM
President Mikhail Saakashvili is a joke and the sooner Georgia gets rid of him the better for the entire region.
This has been brewing for some time and the Georgians themselves are sick of this jerk.
lexhamfox on May 5, 2009 at 9:27 AM
You didn’t read the article in my link, did you?
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Ed…next time when there’s news involving a place with a name that sounds like it’s in the US but isn’t…please, please, please clarify that in the title.
I first understood this story as a mutiny in the the Peach Tree State and about had a heart attack.
Dark-Star on May 5, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Obama is going to show his unflinching support by sending them some “Georgia on My Mind” CD’s.
LibTired on May 5, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Me, too.
zeebeach on May 5, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Cause of death: Geographical Bias?
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:30 AM
This summer will produce alot of fireworks, things will happen that wouldn’t have otherwise for the mere fact of the USA sending a loud message of Weakness to the Jackals the world over.
My guess is Russia makes a major play, with Iran and Venezuala waiting in the wings to make their own play, possibly with Israel taking out Iran beforehand.
jp on May 5, 2009 at 9:30 AM
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:27 AM
why would we care about Georgian energy transport if we developed our own energy resources here in America? I solved your problem without getting involved in an unwinnable war. Yes, I read the article. It was all about ‘energy transport’. We have energy HERE that we don’t access. We’d rather waste money and lives than not according to you.
ThackerAgency on May 5, 2009 at 9:32 AM
It is about control and control of oil. Russia is hurting because of the fall in oil prices. Russia is not going “green”. They are not worried about building windmills. They will drill for oil anywhere they can seize control. And they don’t follow OSHA laws or EPA drilling recommendations. Most Russian drilling operations lay waste to the land. They leave towns & cities in ruin and don’t give one shit for the people that live there. Obama will not lift one finger to do anything. The race is on – Russia, China & India are drilling their brains out. Russia won’t have to fire a shot but they will command much of the world’s dependence on oil. So Obama can dream of windmills, solar power and Cap & trade. All that will do is imcrease our dependence on dictators for more & more of our energy.
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Although America has an interest in appearing to be the strong one of the world, I think that this particular fight belongs to NATO. If it loses here, it is dead as far as being of further use in the gradual takeover, by Russia, of the energy supplies that keep Europe humming.
I am of the opinion that Putin wants to recreate the Russian Empire, but do it by economic pressure, rather than military.
Given the state of the E.U., he should manage this within four years or so.
OldEnglish on May 5, 2009 at 9:35 AM
they all fear that happening. I saw a Documentary on Estonia the jesse helms center had a showing of(Estonians LOVE Jesse Helms), it was fascinating. Many there expressed concerns over this happening to them all over again as America retracts.
time for some Churchill:
jp on May 5, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Didn’t Willy say this to Monica once or twice????
Rovin on May 5, 2009 at 9:39 AM
It is NOT about oil, or more correctly, just energy. Granted, access to energy in this area is far more important to Europe than the US at this time…
It’s more about access. Strategy. Keeping lines open to other fronts, both present and future. It’s about about what happened in Manas and ensuring that doesn’t happen again. But mostly, it’s about looking over the horizon to future conflicts, and preparing for them.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Meanwhile, in Washington, Obama slept.
coldwarrior on May 5, 2009 at 9:39 AM
That is if the Mullahs don’t beat him to it…..
The Russians are hard-core – torture is their speciality.
The left should be beating on Putin not Bush.
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 9:40 AM
What many were saying in 1938 as Austria and the Sudetenland were being Annexed by Germany.
angryed on May 5, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Thracker is a sick bastard. There’s no point in arguing with him on this topic. He actually wants to ally with the sickest, most evil nation in the world (Russia) so he can get his jollies off shooting cave dwelling terrorists together. He’s dumb enough to think that Russia would be willing to cooperate with us if we would just be nice to them when the reality is that Russia cooperates with nobody, it just subjugates, sucks the soul out of and then annihilates anything it touches. There’s a good reason why they couldn’t even get along with communist China. Russia allies with nobody. If they’re not stopped before their newfound imperialist ambitions really run loose, we’re gonna have a much more difficult fight later down the road.
Darth Executor on May 5, 2009 at 9:42 AM
The Ukraine and all other former Russian client states had better start sweating.
MarkTheGreat on May 5, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Will NATO hold firm? What!?
NATO is composed of European countries and Obama’s foreign policy, both of whom will take the easy way out at every opportunity.
NATO will fold like origami.
commenter on May 5, 2009 at 9:42 AM
that much is pretty obvious, the idiots on the far-right and of course the left think Russia is virtuous however.
Walter Russell Meads book, “Special Providence”, is an excellent debunking of the Isolatinist Myth of America. One of the big lies about the first 100 plus years of America is that of virtuous Isolationism. Its odd, it got set in though thanks to FDR not wanting ot challenge those assumptions during WW2.
We are the new Great Britian, carrying the torch of Liberty in the world, whether our limp wrist like it or not. If we retract from that responsibility the world will become a very ugly place quickly.
jp on May 5, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Oil is the strategy. He who controls energy can control his part of the world.
What keeps tanks, planes and infrastructure running? Oil.
Ask Hitler – the biggest problem the Nazis had was keeping everything running. If Hitler had more reliable oil supplies then Russia would now be greater Germany. Putin is a student of history. Obama was out smoking pot during history class.
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 9:43 AM
And won’t be until Russian forces are halfway up the Mississippi.
/sarc
MarkTheGreat on May 5, 2009 at 9:46 AM
It wasn’t our business when Germany invaded the Sudenland, Austria, or Checkoslavakia either.
MarkTheGreat on May 5, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Russia’s long term plan – invade Europe to “free” it from Sharia Law.
I seem to have lived through something similar …
OldEnglish on May 5, 2009 at 9:48 AM
actually, Obama was probably learning the marxist version of history in which western imperialism is the whipping boy and much is omitted.
Taking over our education system was one of the goals of the KGB/Soviets, it was brilliant, evil but brilliant.
jp on May 5, 2009 at 9:49 AM
where is our closest non-secret military installation to this conflict?
kelley in virginia on May 5, 2009 at 9:51 AM
kelley in virginia on May 5, 2009 at 9:51 AM
right across the Georgian/Turkish border in Turkey. Incirlik
elduende on May 5, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Well, yes, energy is certainly an important component here. I never said it wasn’t. I was merely making the argument that there are far more reasons for standing up for Georgia than just energy.
And tactically, if you had to pick a place to fight, you could hardly find a more suitable place than Georgia. Take out the Roki Tunnel, fortify the beaches and you’re looking at easy pickings on the Russkies. Get Ukraine to shut down Sevastopol and Putin just lost a WHOLE lot of real estate.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 9:53 AM
Ok, I know this is not going to be pretty given the growing tax issue, but will those who are willing PLEASE help here?
Stop buying the IDF pizza, pause from once again restocking you ammunition closet, and perhaps go out less.
Send that money instead to Georgia to buy munitions and possibly mercenaries.
They are standing on the very tip of Putin’s spear, and they’ll need it more than we will very shortly.
Can anybody set up a fund?
I’d try to pitch in.
God help us all.
Turtler on May 5, 2009 at 9:54 AM
how far is incirlik turkey from there?
kelley in virginia on May 5, 2009 at 9:57 AM
600 miles.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 10:02 AM
The scary part is, for much of a generation, our higher education system here in the U.S. has evolved into a similar indoctrination process where dissenting debate is shut off by liberal minded professors. Show me a college graduate that did not vote for Obama’s world of socialist/redistributionist policies. USA—KGB, what’s really the difference when it comes to education?
Rovin on May 5, 2009 at 10:05 AM
http://www.incirlik.af.mil/
izoneguy on May 5, 2009 at 10:07 AM
It’s best to not capitalize “weak”, it looks like shouting. On the other hand, the first word that comes to my mind in this context is “cowardly”. I suppose that would make me seem even more of an extremist than if I used WEAK.
thuja on May 5, 2009 at 10:12 AM
So long Saakashvili — not even your neocon buddies are willing to save you anymore. Life is tough, eh?
Drum on May 5, 2009 at 10:16 AM
so incirlik is an airbase. i am a complete neophyte, so help me here. do we have the capability, from that base (not sitting out on the Med) to push back the russians from Georgia if our anti-American, anti-freedom President so authorized such action?
kelley in virginia on May 5, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I believe BO reading a statement from his TOTUS with that steely-eyed determined look, and another strongly worded UN resolution for Russia and China to block will put paid to this crisis.
MarkT on May 5, 2009 at 10:24 AM
This is another small cog on which history will turn.
The who cares, it’s just a little country in Europe attitude is EXACTLY what people said when Germany took over Austria and Czechslovakia.
We are headed towards another massive confrontation with a huge nation and this time America’s got Neville Chamberlain in charge.
mjk on May 5, 2009 at 10:26 AM
If Dear Leader was so compelled, we could push the Russians back with a whole lot less than what’s at Incirlik.
One cruise missile down the throat of the Roki Tunnel would knock out the main supply route for Putin.
A few carefully placed airstrikes or missiles in the west would take out his other overland route.
All Putin would have left then would be by sea, which, given the state of Russian’s Navy, would literally be like shooting fish in a barrel (even the Georgians scored a missile hit on the flagship Moskva), and his air force would be no match for any of number of ground or air assets at our disposal.
Then it’s just huntin’ season for any number of small ground units, choppers and A-10s.
wccawa on May 5, 2009 at 10:28 AM
And our response to Russia’s failure to meet it’s promises?
.
.
.
.
.
.
It’s Carter all over again…
juanito on May 5, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I wonder how Obama’s poll numbers in Europe will do as Russian tanks roll through eastern Europe.
Right_of_Attila on May 5, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Quick! Cue the “date night” clip!
bluelightbrigade on May 5, 2009 at 10:33 AM
No you’re wrong – it’s about Russia invading Georgia. Atlanta has already fallen; Peachtree shall now be known as Borschtree, by edict of the Kremlin.
RD on May 5, 2009 at 10:37 AM
US military power always sprang from being the only economic superpower. This is no longer the fact – China and India are up there as well – and the Chinese are lending you the money for your stimulus. Russia and Iran are stirring up trouble on your doorstep in Latin America so you cannot afford to ignore Georgia, Ukraine etc. This is not the 70s/80s where foreign policy was fairly straightforward. That is not to say send troops to Georgia but a quick flick of the whip would be useful against Putin. Unlike China Russia is not an economic superpower – it is has a ramshackle authoritarian regime that is very brittle despite the blustering.
callingallcomets on May 5, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Time to seek out the moderate Russians?
BL@KBIRD on May 5, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Wow, that’s excruciatingly naive. Clearly you don’t know anything about foreign policy. Foreign policy is never ever “straightforward”. It never has been. It never will be.
and it’s very sweet that you think russia can’t do any damage. They’ve been doing damage of all sorts since before the “straightforward” foreign policy days of the 70/80’s and they will continue to do damage now. Especially with Iran and North Korea being their back up.
mjk on May 5, 2009 at 10:48 AM
A nice Ipod loaded with Ogabe’s greatest hits and sent to Putin would probably quell this situation quite nicely. Does Apple make them in Communist-red?
Bishop on May 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM
—–
http://www.productred.com
the iPod is available in red, yes.
Mew
acat on May 5, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Me, too, though I didn’t think the tanks looked right. I’m not sure what it says about me, but I admit I was momentarily truly disappointed to learn it wasn’t. Then I realized I’m not sure I’m ready for full blown war in our streets, with tanks and everything.
LOL
pannw on May 5, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Georgia! OMG! Will Yankee infiltrated Atlanta join. I expected this with the Obama Administration policies. I’m sure the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act which criminalizes Internet freedom of speech was the last straw. (only partial sarcasm here)
amr on May 5, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Another ignorant post from Ed Morrissey who doesn’t know basic facts but is always full of ready to use cliches.
According to the said plan, Russian forces must withdraw from areas of Georgia outside of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The Russians have never agreed to leave SO or A, and the plan never included this requirement.
Note, that this fact has nothing to do with whether or not you think it’s a good idea for the Russians to leave the said Republics (as I think that it is). I merely note that Ed doesn’t know what the plan was, and he doesn’t know the current state of affairs in Georgia.
Another ridiculous lie. These exercises are multinational, and they were planned well before the conflict between Russia and Georgia erupted. Surely, the Georgians could use some international support nowadays, but Ed mischaracterizes (out of ignorance) the nature of the exercises.
radiofreevillage on May 5, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Question:
How would WE feel if there were scheduled Warsaw Pact manuvers held in MEXICO? Right on our border?
The Russians have historicly had a concept of the “Near Abroad”… those states around it that they used as a buffer and tripwire… where they did not want other Powers to play…
So, what do we do? We hold NATO excercises in Georgia?
Sorry, its like pokeing a Bear in the eye…. and then wondering why it gets mad.
Romeo13 on May 5, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Didnt say Russia was not a troublemaker but its not the same as the old soviet regime, could not afford massive armed forces even with oil money so more of an irritant looking to sting at the fringes. NATO was formed to counter a possible Russian invasion of Europe. An invasion now is not on the cards so possibly NATO needs to change. Iran/Pakistan is a more dangerous mix and totally unpredictable which is why the US should consider closer formal/informal links with India and China.
By straightforward I meant the cold war where military planning could identify the USSR as the major threat.
We are now moving to the world of 19th century international relations where there are no longer two major players but possibly 6/7 where groupings and alliances and ententes are constantly shifting. Its your characterisation of Russia as the main enemy which is naive and outdated.
callingallcomets on May 5, 2009 at 11:57 AM
News just in – Warsaw Pact hasn’t existed for several years
callingallcomets on May 5, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Speaking of Russians attempts to overthrow Saakashvili, look at these pictures. Who are all these people? If you thought “well, surely them are a bunch of freedom haters and evildoers” then you thought wrong (although congratulations, you just earned yourself a right to blog on a leading conservative site). The reality is that Saakashvili is now increasingly unpopular inside Georgia. Many Georgian politicians including the former head of parliament and former key ambassadors have condemned the President’s policy charging that by starting the open war against Russia, Saakashvili essentially lost the two rogue provinces forever.
Still, every opposition leader vows to restore the sovereignty of Georgia over the Republics currently occupied by Russia. In this climate, the last thing the Russia wants is Saakashvili gone. He’s a completely discredited moron, whom you can safely ignore. If opposition comes to power, Russia cannot avoid negotiations with the new government, and hence they will have to go back to the discussions of very inconvenient topics.
Only a madman or Ed Morrissey could imagine Russia wanting to annex the entire Georgia. Russia has a lot of problems in Chechnya and Dagestan as it is. Nobody in Russia wants another big problem in that region.
radiofreevillage on May 5, 2009 at 12:13 PM
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