Caucasian Powderkeg?

[Burunsuzoglu]

...you reckon the Turks/Azeri's will accept an Armenia route...?

Yes Burunsuzoglu I do. It's economics and geo-politics see.

If a land-bridge for Armenia to Ngorno-Karabkh can be exchanged for an Azeri link to Nakhchivan (and hence Turkey), then the West has three actual/potential routes for Caspian oil and gas.

I hate the Germanic concept of real-politik but the Southern Caucusus have an interest in working together. Maybe Turkey, US, UK and Iraq should polish-off the framework that was CENTO...? :

and who controls Armenia

 

[Patsfan86]

Russian news agencies report sunken Georgian ship

TBILISI, Georgia - Russian news agencies say the Defense Ministry is claiming to have sunk a Georgian missile boat that was trying to attack Russian navy ships in the Black Sea.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/georgia_south_ossetia

also

U.S. Begins Flying Georgian Troops out of Iraq

BAGHDAD — A senior U.S. military official says the Americans have begun flying Georgian troops home from Iraq after they requested help with transportation.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401121,00.html

 

[-=R!T=-]

Apart from its nuclear weapons what do we have to fear? Shit they can't even deal with a hand full of Chechen's; what do you think we would run as soon as we got a bloody nose who do you think we are French?

Words from REAL man who dont fear nukes... I wanna fight beside u man...
Have some racket to beat off rockets?nfloorl:

 

[-=R!T=-]

I don't think a boarder dispute will keep Georgia from joining NATO.

The Russians tried that ploy - without success - against the Baltic nations.

Baltic havent any potential territorial conflicts...If Georgia acknowledge independence of Osetia and Abkhazia ...green light...

 

[-=R!T=-]

Strange news from SkyNews...!

Apparently Chechen militia are "destroying villages in South Ossetia". Latest snapshot that I have heard, (England are playing South Africa at the Oval, so priorities exist) and I must say that I am confused and worried.

This situation has the wholemarks of a mess. Let's all hope sensibility presides!

Chechen spec ops in Osetia and on russian side...so its other disinformation...

 

[Patsfan86]

Isn't the US getting a little to involved by helping transport Georgian troops out of Iraq ,which will then be used to fight russians in Georgia .I doubt the russians like this very much.

 

[-=R!T=-]

On the Wiki article for this conflict Turkey has agreed to supply up to 50 MW of electricity to Georgia as of Friday, Turkey matters more to the West then Russia.

Let's not escalate things beyond the current mess. The UK has an interest: Putin has stolen UK-owned assets [BP-TNK], so we might take the effort to protect the Azeris and Georgians.

Let's hope push does not come to shove.... I wonder if HMS Super-B is having a hasty refit...?

Putin has stolen assets....MIGHTY DUCK ...ITs inner company conflict, russian oligarchs were unpleased by englich directors politics and they ask Bp to change headman...etc...they used russian lows against him because BP were refused...So Putin is real hidden chief(i dont understand what he stolen...maybe can of pepsi?)

 

[-=R!T=-]

True. Turkey matters more to the west thats why it is not part of EU and Euro that will alteast give them lower inflation. couple of months back. Azerbaijan could not stop Russian truck moving through its territory with nuclear equipment to Iran and has agreed on direct railway. (railway think over it)
the fact of matter is if Russia wants to push these small countries around. no one is going to directly confront them.

What for?

 

[Chrom]

Isn't the US getting a little to involved by helping transport Georgian troops out of Iraq ,which will then be used to fight russians in Georgia .I.

Nope, unless USA directly transport them in Tbilisi. But i assure you, US will not do that. Georgian troops will be transported ( i mean IF transported at all) to some "neutral" territory like Turkey. Right now US is completely uninvolved in conflict, barring some rumors about US (and other nations) instructors captured/killed in Ossetia.

P.S. Generally, russians showed quite impressive performance given relative surprise attack and totally insufficient forces.

P.P.S. I meant, civilian flights to and from Georgia are still NOT canceled. Russia still allow that. So, Georgian soldiers can easily get to Tbilisi through civilian or formally civilian airline.

 

[Type59]

Isn't the US getting a little to involved by helping transport Georgian troops out of Iraq ,which will then be used to fight russians in Georgia .I doubt the russians like this very much.

Exactly what I thought. US are actively involved. Training troops, willing to put them in Nato, now moving troops to an active CONFLICT REGION. America does not seem like "honest broker" as often said inregards to Middle East.

Ironically, Hitler helped transport Army of Africa (Francos forces) to Spanish mainland to fight in civil war. Now US is doing the same I am not paralling idieologies just events.

 

[-=R!T=-]

US Ambassador To UN: Russia Seeking Georgia Regime Change

UNITED NATIONS (AFP)--The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. on Sunday accused Moscow of seeking regime change in Georgia, citing a confidential conversation between the U.S. and Russian foreign ministers earlier in the day.

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/N...r To UN: Russia Seeking Georgia Regime Change

READ FULL CONVERSATION !!!U ll BE SURPRISED

 

[eckherl]

Isn't the US getting a little to involved by helping transport Georgian troops out of Iraq ,which will then be used to fight russians in Georgia .I doubt the russians like this very much.

Why - even though I hope Russia is not that idiotic to shoot at one of our planes if they do, then all hell will break loose for the Russians by getting us involved.

 

[roberto]

if this report is true it will take this conflict in some other direction.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wo...nd+Made+Homeless+By+Conflict+In+South+Ossetia
Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, reporting from South Ossetia, said he had heard large explosions and seen cars come under machine-gun fire.
He added that Georgian soldiers had told him Russian forces were being bolstered by hundreds of Chechen "mercenaries".

 

[eaf-f16]

Apart from its nuclear weapons what do we have to fear? Shit they can't even deal with a hand full of Chechen's; what do you think we would run as soon as we got a bloody nose who do you think we are French?

Just keep in mind that when you're talking about Chechens you're talking about some of the best soldiers around. Heartless, fanatical, fatalistic, self-sufficient and well-trained. Better than Hezbollah, even.

I read an article once about two Chechen snipers in Iraq moving between buildings picking off US troops. They were eventually killed of course. But they died killing US troops at ratio of 7.5:1 in their favor.

Why - even though I hope Russia is not that idiotic to shoot at one of our planes if they do, then all hell will break loose for the Russians by getting us involved.

People shouldn't let their imaginations run wild with this. The US is to talking loud and hard over this because this is the first time the Russia Federation launches military strikes on one of its client states.

 

[-=R!T=-]

Ok, clarification:

SkyNews breaking news:

Russia using "Chechen militia" to ethnically-cleanse Georgian villages.

There r no russian land forces on geoergian territory...chechen too...only uncontrolled by Kadyrov chechen villages near border Chechny-Georgia...What happens?...Some years ago u cried about UGly russians genocide of chechen...Wind blow other side?

 

[roberto]

Why - even though I hope Russia is not that idiotic to shoot at one of our planes if they do, then all hell will break loose for the Russians by getting us involved.

It didnot happend to EP-3 accident with China. so i doubt anything is going to happen here. conflict is too much withint Russian zone of influence.
remember moblization alone takes alot of money let alone war.

 

[PullerRommel]

I read that in one of my Counter-Insurgency Books. I think it was 21 Marines.

What is this i hear about US Instructors captured? Rumors i know but still

 

[Patsfan86]

Nope, unless USA directly transport them in Tbilisi. But i assure you, US will not do that. Georgian troops will be transported ( i mean IF transported at all) to some "neutral" territory like Turkey. Right now US is completely uninvolved in conflict, barring some rumors about US (and other nations) instructors captured/killed in Ossetia.

P.S. Generally, russians showed quite impressive performance given relative surprise attack and totally insufficient forces.

P.P.S. I meant, civilian flights to and from Georgia are still NOT canceled. Russia still allow that. So, Georgian soldiers can easily get to Tbilisi through civilian or formally civilian airline.

"We are supporting the Georgian military units that are in Iraq in their redeployment to Georgia so that they can support requirements there during the current security situation," said Col. Jerry O'Hara, another military spokesman in Baghdad. "Flights have in fact begun today and Georgian forces are redeploying."

"He declined to disclose flight details. But another senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information, said the military would fly the troops back "to the republic of Georgia." - AP

 

[Type59]

There r no russian land forces on geoergian territory...chechen too...only uncontrolled by Kadyrov chechen villages near border Chechny-Georgia...What happens?...Some years ago u cried about UGly russians genocide of chechen...Wind blow other side?

Rumours of chechens is just a rumour. Most likely COSSACKS they been volunteering in numbers.

 

[-=R!T=-]

Isn't the US getting a little to involved by helping transport Georgian troops out of Iraq ,which will then be used to fight russians in Georgia .I doubt the russians like this very much.

Cannon fodder +1000 or 2000 is good idea...