Georgia: History leading up to today.

Yubaduck thanks for the history post.

As far as who is right and wrong, keep in mind whose borders have been invaded and the scale of the invasion. Also watch for what the invader demands and takes in the aftermath of this. And finally watch the human toll.

Russia could have brought this up to the Security Council. Russia could have given evidence of Georgian ethnic cleansing. I don't doubt there was evidence. Russia could have called for international peacekeepers.

Instead Russia has invaded. They are destroying homes, they are creating an humanitarian crissis. They are changing the demographics of the regions I believe they intend to control or outright claim.

This invasion is the latest and boldest move of the Putin government to exert its will over other countries. The West ignores this illegitimite act at its own peril.

I tried to go into the historical part of things with an open mind, but the factors you bring up plus the unchanged nature of Russia, especially since Putin took over, convince me you are right. Ukraine is trying to support Georgia by saying if Russian ships land troops or follow through with a blockade, they will be unwelcome in Ukrainian ports.

I think as a consequence of this, we ought to consider fast tracking Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, and demand return to status quo. If Russia were threatened with economic sanctions, if Europe would get on board, we might see them back down.