So today it appears George and Russia are getting closer and closer to all out war over the newly independent ex-Georgian province of South Ossetia (which has not, to this date, been officially recognised as an indepdendent state by any UN member state).

It appears that Georgia has attempted to retake the separatist-run South Ossetia by force, prompting swift military action by Russia, who have sent in more than 50 tanks amongst other heavy arsenal today to back the separatists in their fight against Georgia. Russia claim to be defending the thousands of Russian civilians who live in South Ossetia (a lot of controversy comes from the rumour that Russia has fuelled the crisis by deliberately handing out free Russian passports and supporting the separatists against the pro-western Georgia).

As a result, Georgia has now called on the US and NATO forces for help. The US has claimed to support Georgia's 'territorial integrity' and has sent an envoy to begin diplomatic talks for a ceasefire.

To me, this feels like relations between the US and Russia are going to be falling once again; it is also an obvious yet alarming symbol of Russia's willingness to show off their military power (since the Cold War) in such a swift move.



Opinions?

Youre more worried about this than a us currently being in a nation that is INVADING another?

We should of never gone to the Olympics ¬¬

But anyway... I have no dount that the russians will use whatever milatry forces they have left (which probably isnt a lot).... I don't think russia would give up that easily... Even on a tiny country (In comparison) like Georgia...

I seriously doubt America are rally worried... Russia is a broken country.

Hmm, nasty.

I don't believe Russia has the strength to stand up against the UN, though, and their economy almost certainly can't stand another state of war. This should be resolved relatively peacefully (compared to what it could be).

Russia is far from broken, their military strength is just something that appears to be rather mystified to the rest of the world. However, Russia does has very close ties with Iran and China in terms of trade - which includes a lot of arms trading.

But let's not forget that Russia is becomming an increasingly dominant energy supplier. Combine that with a rapidly growing economy and you have a very powerful political weapon, especially for Europe.

Not that either Russia or the US/UN would wage war on eachother, as both have far too much to lose. This entire incident will just be a pain in the backside for the US if they want to stay on decent terms with Russia.

I guess... They do have a lot of oil...

They arent really on the cutting edge of any technology however, not anymore. I don't think much else will happen, itll get dissolved in political discussion... Probably resulting in the nation wanting independance not getting as the views of the eople who live there wont be taken into account at all....

They're one of the largest oil-producing countries; second only (but not by far) to Saudi Arabia. Don't forget also that Russia produces over 20% of the world's natural gas. Russia is considered by many to be the biggest 'energy superpower'.

They probably don't have as cutting edge technology, but they certainly out-do their small neighbouring countries. It's a possibility that Russia will attempt some form of annexation with South Ossetia (or at least form extremely close ties with it), meaning Russia will have an even tighter grip on the vast oil and gas supplies of Central Asia.

It's a shame political views boil down to essentially who has the most Oil....

You cant believe its still cheaper to buy the damn stuff than research alternate technologies. basically, US has to keep Russia happy because of the Oil...

Yeah that's one of the big issues for both Obama and McCain; America has huge oil reserves itself, and I think both of them want to tap into the reserves to reduce foreign dependency (not to mention it greatly reduces the energy wasted by transporting the damn stuff across the world to the US).

Well, apparently Russia has now invaded Georgia, attacking via South Ossetia and a new front (Abkhazia), sending the Georgians into a complete retreat towards their capital.

Russia has so far ignored all international pressure for a ceasefire, and claims to be continuing its conquest "until its logical end" (probably by forcing the president of Georgia to resign).

George Bush, Gordon Brown and Secretary-General of NATO Jaap de Hoop Scheffer have all reiterated their condemnation of Russia's actions, and a call for a ceasefire.

Havent they invaded somewhere called Gori or something?

Thats what I last heard. It seems such a shame when the Olympics are going on tho....

Why cant any just make them stop? I mean... I know that would be hard, but wars shouldnt happen anymore

Until the world has a united government, wars are going to happen. The UN helps, but it's not completely in control.

a serious (world war kinda thing) breaking out is very unlikely due to several reasons.

As far as Ive heard, compromise has been reached...

I dont really know the details tho ^^ I heard the Geogian troops were withdrawing to protect their capital tho

That's what they said before World War 2.

They didn't have Nukes at the start of WW2...

Russia is pulling out of Georgia =D woo hoo.

Dave H:
We should of never gone to the Olympics

hey! we're doing Great =D 3rd place =D beating the Aussies

tbh if america condem russia and take physical action there will be a all out nuclear war

no there wont. america will do sod all because they are already stretched in iraq, afghanistan etc. russia cant afford a war for economical reasons. the only thing will happen is a war of words (i.e. the cold war, which wasnt really a war).

i dont think there will come a nuclear war atm.. maybe a new cold war
as the way i see it none of the countries want to risk it

(also there are many countries in the world giving loads of money to russia which they spend on new weapons, for some months ago norway gave 50 million euro+ so that they could remove the old rusty submarines in the barents sea, (north for norway) the submarines are still there so the money were most likely spent on army)

russia can afford a war now they are supported by many countries and have loads of natural gas and some oil (sibir)

the cold war was more like a conflict who caused the vietnam war

they started making them before WW2, but the first tryout of a nuclear bomb was first 16th of july 1945, 6th and 9th of august they drop the bombs over hiroshima and nagasaki (mainly british scientists, einstein and some americans, when it became clear that germany could not make a nuclear bomb the british pulled out from the project)

during the cold war in 1968 the americans lost 4 nuclear bombs close to their base on grenland, they found 3 of them and even today 1 bomb is missing under the ice.