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Friday, August 08, 2008
A Russia-Georgia War? The Caucus Region "A Key Conduit For The Flow Of Oil From The Caspian Sea To World Markets."
Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 9:38 AM

The world will be very surprised to learn that a war is close to breaking out as the quadrennial party gets underway in Beijing.

Better inflate those tires asap. From the New York Times:

Georgian officials said their military had fired on Russian planes and that their aircraft had bombed a convoy of Russian tanks that moved into South Ossetia, the pro-Russian enclave that has enjoyed de facto autonomy from Georgia since 2004. A local Russian official said the convoy was humanitarian.

As Georgian forces besieged Tskhinvali, the capital of the enclave, President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia promised to "punish" those responsible for what he called "a deep violation of international law" by Georgia that he said had led to the deaths of Russian citizens and Russian peacekeepers stationed in Tskhinvali.

"I am obligated to defend the lives and dignity of Russian citizens, wherever they are located," he said in an address carried on Russian state television. "We will not allow the unpunished killing of our fellow citizens. Those who are guilty will suffer the punishment they deserve."

Speaking in Beijing, where he traveled to attend the opening of the Olympic Games, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said Georgia’s actions "will certainly lead to retaliatory actions.”

The fighting presented the most dangerous crisis in years in the Caucasus region, a key conduit for the flow of oil from the Caspian sea to world markets and an area where violent conflict has flared along the Russia’s outskirts for centuries, most recently in Chechnya.



View in ascending order View in descending order
alexsandr writes: Tuesday, August, 12, 2008 3:18 PM
caucaz-centr.com
That who wishes to make in georgia caucas's shasriat state.
alexsandr writes: Tuesday, August, 12, 2008 3:14 PM
caucaz-centr
Natalie writes: http://www. caucaz. com
caucaz. com- site of International Arabian Islamic terrorists. Who want will make caucas's shasriat state
alexsandr writes: Tuesday, August, 12, 2008 2:58 PM
Suspicion
clarityseeker,were you a long time working in cia?
japan,vietnam, irak, georgia - did you not enough pain? you like more blood
Who next? Austria?
alexsandr writes: Tuesday, August, 12, 2008 2:34 PM
kusy use
clarityseeker. Dear Vollidiot, were you tblisi?
kusy use.
clarityseeker writes: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 10:14 AM
alexsandr
you said, "Why Americans bombing Georgia?"


You are lying, dude. Americans are not bombing Georgia, and, your lack of articulations are confusing, scary, and counterproductive.
alexsandr writes: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 2:12 AM
Georgian Liyes
Saakashwili the Georgian, Stalin the Georgian.
Stalin has begun Soviet - Finland war for to grasp necessary teritories for defence against Gitler. Stalin said lies that Suomi the first shot at the Soviet. Then the Soviet shot and Soviet have left a place where shot also has suffered nobody. stalin offended Chechens after that presently have arisen Chechen terrorists.
Stalin said lies. Saakashwili says lies. Georgians Always say lies.
Joe, Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Right writes: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 2:04 AM
What Georgia-Russia means...
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/199 41

Rubin nails it as usual.

http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2008/08/09/whos-wi nning-in-georgia/

Belmont Club tells us what is going on, almost in realtime.
alexsandr writes: Sunday, August, 10, 2008 1:57 AM
What for
Why Americans bombing georgia?
Cicero writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 2:33 PM
BlueTruth
"This is not about oil.
Hugh do your homework and learn a little bit about this conflict before you spout off nonsense like this."

Mr. Hewitt is not interested in doing any homework that would provide him with an objective assessment of the matter. He is a mere spin doctor for the pseudoconservative regime in DC.
Cicero writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 2:28 PM
RealCon
"Now we see the neocon idiocy of
spreading NATO borders into the eastern block up to and including republics of the old USSR. Do you want to fight Russia over Georgia or the Ukraine?

Pat Buchanan is right, disband NATO before it drags us into a war that could easily spiral out of control."

Yep. (From your fellow realcon).
alexsandr writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 1:32 PM
one true
Actually, Americans conducting shooting on the Texas range, rockets made on new Ukrainian technologies, have missed and have dumped bombs some the Georgian military bases. Having solved what is it, damn it, not bad idea. Have dumped bombs on the Georgian airdromes. It they have provoked the Georgian military men.
alexsandr writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 1:29 PM
one true
Actually, Americans das Schießen on texas to educational parade-grounds, rockets it is made after new Ukrainian technologies conducting, have missed just these are bombs Some the Georgian military bases have dumped. That, what is it, damn it, did not solve bad idea. Bombs have dumped it on the Georgian airdromes. From this they have provoked the Georgian officers.
So all also was I know. I there was. And the grandmother called to me it in Bush's Joint Staff serves.
Pasadena Phil writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 11:29 AM
Blue Tooth; research?
It's not about oil?

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L9618164.htm

This is ALL about oil and Putin's mad determination to recapture the former Soviet states. What do you think this is about? Someone's dog crapped on a neighbor's lawn? It was a calculated move that has been planned for a long time. Even the video being released is staged and choreographed around the story that the Russia is merely protecting its citizens. If it weren't for oil and Georgia's geography, this wouldn't be happening.
Natalie writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 11:02 AM
Hope it works, I'd like all to read it
Trying again to post this as a working link:

http://www.caucaz.com/home_eng/depeches.php?idp=1921
Natalie writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 10:59 AM
working link
http://www. caucaz. com/home_eng/depeches. php?idp=1921
Natalie writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 10:58 AM
***Please read***
Georgia warned the EU & NATO months ago that Russia was going to do this:

http://www. caucaz. com/home_eng/depeches. php?idp=1921

Russia was offered the opportunity to do what they now say is all they're trying to do but instead chose to escalate:


http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/07/georgia.ossetia. ap/index.html

Let's view this issue w/ open eyes to how easily it could've gone a completely peaceful route to resolution and who chose not to.

MD in Philly writes: Saturday, August, 09, 2008 8:03 AM
Georgia = Afghanistan?
In terms of military "defendability", it is hard to have a place as good as Afghanistan for being harsh and rugged. I undersatnd that in Afghan lore Kabul is the place where the devil landed when he was thrown out of heaven. I would be surprised if Georgia was able to defend itself nearly as well. Soviet tanks were not of much use in mountainous regions of Afghanistan, the column riding down the street into Georgia looked daunting.
NeoConScum writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 9:28 PM
RealCon..Buchanan Has A Real Groovy Book
out on the market about how that po'misunderstood Fuehrer had to go to War against those Western Fanatics.

Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, etc. are breathing Free and are America's friends. Imagine.

Patty Boy Buchanan is a paleo-putz.
MaryStella writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 9:18 PM
Mr. Blue toot, respectfully,
As of this week, actually, Mr. Hugh Hewitt, must be congratulated, for he was granted more stations on the air, latest, in the New York area. Therefore, there were some changes in the channels, and Mr. Hewitt, as of this week is on more radio air waves, and for that he should be greatly commanded.
This is also a fact, Mr. Hugh Hewitt show, is one of the most listen to, on the internet.
Pasadena Phil writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 9:02 PM
The futility of defending borders
The Russians are only taking back what was rightly theirs. They are just trying to support their families back home. Georgians have no choice but to grant blanket amnesty to these Russians. After all, Russians are God's children too and it is high time for Georgians to drop their nativist bigotry.

(What dead bodies? What city being destruction? Eh, would have happened anyway.)
clarityseeker writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 8:53 PM
Earth to "BlueToot"
your local radio station may very well have removed Hugh from its airwaves, however, you are still clammoring to get on his site, be heard by his readers, and exhibit your nattering narcissism.
Your like an unsatiated drug addict----gotta get your fix.

LOL



>:D
BlueTruth writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 7:13 PM
This is not about oil.
Hugh do your homework and learn a little bit about this conflict before you spout off nonsense like this.
clarityseeker writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:48 PM
paddy...
...no need to wait for KimberLick's response---you just provided the substance, breadth, and depth of it in your post.
As Porky Pig used to say, Th-th-th-th-th-that's all Folks.....
clarityseeker writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:46 PM
cottoneyed
Consider yourself as very fortunate that you do not have to be subjected to the obfuscating, wrangling, out-and-out lying which would, no doubt, be part and parcel bjob's response to your post.

Good riddnace to the race-baiter, AKA, "Bjob".


As for Obama's position on Georgia standing up for itself, well, he's formulating both of his contradictory views on this as we speak.
Dustoff-507 writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:37 PM
Obama
Hey he should send Edwards, Sue for peace.

Well maybe not... his wife will soon be suing him.

Yep loved my wife for 30 years.... sure you did.
MaryStella writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:34 PM
Hawkeye,
Even some women, at times, can mightly win (all) wars!
Especially, ones with ancient Babylonian-Chaldean, Assyrian, Russian, Persian background, just ask my husband.
All wars are victorious, if you fight to win! You just keep upping the SURGE.
You are right, Georgia easily can win this, copy the Afghan war. (Presently, U.S., military are training their troops.)

Russia is not our friend anymore. They are helping Iran on fast track to make the bomb,& now Georgia is helping us on war on terror, thus, are being punished.
Sadly, President Bush is leaving office, Russia is on its way to become VERY powerful, right now, U.S. can teach them how really America military strength is, but no one has the will.
Which, few years down, many will suffer.
cottoneyed writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:25 PM
Once again, the dearly departed, bjob,
has egg on her leftist face. Recently she excoriated "cons" for believing that "husband of the year", John (silky pony) Edwards, had an affair, during his Presidential campaign, while he was using his cancer stricken wife to garner sympathy, in hopes of resuscitating said campaign. Today's admission from the "silky pony", once again proves that the bjob was wrong, and "cons" were right. Did she ever get anything right.
CABrown writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 4:00 PM
Putin Goosing the Petro Market
Putin has consolidated power on the basis of inflated natural gas and crude oil prices. As the price of crude started sliding on global markets (so yes we are tied in just as the Europeans are), Putin applied a little muscle to drive prices back up. The Russians don't have to stay, they just have to roll in, smash things and get the commodity market's attention when crude oil prices slide. Staying would cost more and actually work against high prices -- since the market doesn't care who guards the oil fields and pipelines, just that supply is secure.
richard_223 writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 2:19 PM
Not My Idea of Leadership
Wow, Obama is lounging on the beach while Russian armies are the march. Since he already thinks he is President, shouldn't he be rushing back to DC?
richard_223 writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 2:04 PM
Sino Soviet Split Redux
Its a Putin play to steal the thunder from the ChiCom Olympic Propaganda Show and upstage those upstart capitalist running dogs.
KGK writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 1:58 PM
Georgia=Afghanistan
Russia will not be held very high over this one in national cred by the internationalists. In fact, Georgia may turn out to be another Afghan. and that could mean hard times for Putin not good times. As to oil, we get most of our oil from Mexico and Canada so it might actually force Europe to stand up and ask this campaign to stop. It will be the UN and the socialist Europeans who will suffer from this war not the USA. Any losses that Russia suffers is good for the world. Putin has begun to look like Ivan the Terrible lately and his drive to make Little Russia great again should be dissauded by any means possible. For him to be the Little Father once more, he needs quick victories and serf like approbation. Frankly, I hope he gets this in his mug with as many losses as possible.
Dread writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 1:30 PM
Jess
[Arrogance or Ignorance?]

Neither.

It was either lack of clarity on my part or a willing misinterpretation on yours:

To clarify:

Georgia = Native government

S. Ossetia = Province seeking independence

Russia = S. Ossetia's Strong 'Benefactor'
Jess writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 1:03 PM
Arrogance or Ignorance?
Referring to Georgia as a 'province' and Russia as
its 'native government.' From Wikipedia:

Georgia has one of the world’s richest and oldest history, stretching back to the prehistoric times. The rise of the early Georgian states of Colchis and Iberia in c.1000 BC formed the unique Georgian civilization which achieved its renaissance and golden age in 12-13th century.

The history of Georgia was marked by series of invasions and subjugation by foreign empires (including Ancient Rome, Persia, Ottoman and Russian Empires). However, throughout the long history of turmoil, the Georgian statehood and the Georgian nation has endured and preserved its national identity.
paddy o'furniture writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 12:19 PM
I can't wait.....
....for Kimber to explain how this is all Bush's fault....!
Dread writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 12:18 PM
PatMc
It's not any different from the Kosovo situation. You have an province that wants independence and has a strong benefactor willing to fight for them against their native government.

It's very difficult to see on what principle we could possibly object to Russia helping liberate S. Ossetia.

Of course, for all of the talk of BDS and wimpy Euro-leaders, I will note that if Germany and France had not objected, Bush and his cheerleaders would be getting Georgia fast-tracked into NATO now and the United States and Europe would now be forced into a likely WWIII fighting against a province that desires inpendenence.
Dustoff-507 writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 12:17 PM
What will Obama do?
Not much until he can pick a side, then change his mind 15mins later.
paddy o'furniture writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 11:34 AM
Go Johnny Reb....!
Can we get some southern folks over there to teach them the Rebel Yell....?
PatMc writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 11:33 AM
Remember Kosovo?
How is Russia's invasion of South Oestia any different than Bill Clinton's invasion of Kosovo? Clinton also claimed that "ethnic cleansing" was being done by Serbia, and that NATO had the right to intervene even without U.N. Security Council approval. So the U.S. lead an invasion of Serbia to protect Albanian drug smugglers from Serbian police. This has now been legitimized with a new "nation" of Kosovo being recognized by most of the West. Russia is simply emulating that precedent. Russia was unwilling to go to war against NATO over the invasion of Serbia, will the U.S. go to war over this invasion of Georgia?
MD in Philly writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 11:16 AM
How bad will this get?
Is this a regional skirmish or the "learning to walk" phase of a second cold war, ala Hungary? Or worse?

Did Georgia really begin the conflict, or is that what Tass and Pravda say, ala Nazi Germany and Poland?

Aside from oil and NATO politics (both big issues), is this the Russian bear coming out of hibernation and devoring neighboring nations?

Putin has to be thinking that President Bush is hamstrung and cannot give a meaningful response. Well, Putin didn't read President Bush very well when he gave advice to Hussein.

End of commentary, beginning of prayer
Hawkeye writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 10:53 AM
Russia Say's Georgia, Take It Like a Man
Georgia wants to be in Nato for the security as they see what the Russian bear still does to countries or individuals it doesn't agree with. And so it's Georgia's fault because.......?
DP in So Cal writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 10:52 AM
Now I know
why oil in down $4 per barrel this morning. The whole thing is starting to make sense...
Rogue writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 10:40 AM
Saw this on the Timesonline page...
Just a quick scan of the comments shows that BDS has already struck...it's all a war for oil, Georgia is Bush's puppet and just a prelude to a strike on Iran. BDS is truely a frightening disease.
Fat Man writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 9:48 AM
Oh Sh?t !!

This could get ugly in a hurry!
Joe, Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Right writes: Friday, August, 08, 2008 9:48 AM
Oh oh
This conflict flew in under the radar and has the potential to really cause a lot of problems.
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