What should Russia have done as a reaction to a shelling of a city of its allies, 90% of whom are Russian citizens? Sit blithely by? Jesus.
I think it's almost certain Tbilisi expected US support. Doesn't seem to have happened.
I heard reports that initially Georgian troops were dressed in US military uniforms (complete with flag on shoulder) in the belief that Ossetians and Russians would not fire on them. IF THIS IS TRUE, this is a violation of so so so many rules of war...
--- On Sun, 8/10/08, Bob Morris <bob.morris at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
>
> My original comment was - "Indeed. Choosing the lesser
> of two thugs is still
> choosing
> a thug."
>
> By "thug", I meant gangster, not sadist. Georgia
> apparently started it,
> Russia has hugely over-reacted. Can't see anyone worth
> supporting here. Your
> mileage may vary.
>
> A speculation:
>
> In the prelude to the Gulf War, the US passed a message to
> Saddam that it
> would do nothing if Iraq invaded Kuwait.
>
> Georgia seems to have miscalculated badly. Did they think
> US military help
> was forthcoming?
>
> Just wondering.
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk