[atto]

Originally Posted by GammaJammer »

Out of interest what do you mean here - that it's all over the internet? or that they're trying to hack each other / send viruses to tank commanders' laptops, that kinda thing?

Ah, welcome to 21st century war. Russia's biggest news source has been on and offline for the past couple of days (it's slooooowly loading for me now). Georgia's central government web site has been on and offline as well (didn't load). Both sites are presumably being DDoSed by the other side.

Interestingly enough, Russia Today says: "Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an end to the military operation in Georgia. He said the objective - “to compel Georgia to peace” - has been achieved. Medvedev also ordered the Russian military to “eliminate the aggressor” in the event of Georgian forces resuming hostilities. "

For some reason, I find "resuming hostilities" to be subjective enough for pretty much anything to cause them to "eliminate the aggressor". Sheesh.

[atto]

Originally Posted by forsearch »

Unifying the ethnic Russians of South Ossetia with the Russian province of North Ossetia, I suppose.

And gaining control of the oil pipeline that runs thru Georgia too.

Bingo. As I understand this, this pipeline is the only thing keeping Russia from an oil monopoly in the region.

It's almost funny how both sides are using propaganda to their advantage: "law enforcement agencies" vs "aggression forces", "aggression forces" (from the other side) vs "peacekeeping operations". I know this always happens in war, but it's fairly clear here. I don't think either side is "right". Georgia should have held the cease fire, and Russia shouldn't have entered. We can only hope peace talks can make some progress.

[nickm001]

it seems that it was miss-calculated move on part of Georgia. They have used heavy artillery and air force against South Ossetia killing more then 2000 people and dislocating 30000 or more people form the area ( which is almost 50% of the population) and killing 15 or so peacekeeper ( moistly Russians) BEFORE the Russia responded. The area of south Ossetia was pretty independent since 92 . They signed piece agreement with Georgia week ago before they were attacked. The main city is completely in ruin . Russian response was swift to stop civilian population onslaught. Georgia immediately started crying uncle and perhaps expected NATO or US support.

Was the oil important in this? maybe indirectly, but one cannot change the facts who started it where the casualties are. South Ossetia had 2000+ killed... Georgia had 100-200... Most of the damage in Georgia was to military and infrastructure.

If there is any humanitarian disaster it was created by Georgia. The way they handled it, most likely prohibits any future integration of 2 provinces back into the same country.
It is hard to imagine that US did not know about pending attack, especially that Georgian and US military had joint exercise 1-2 weeks before the attack.

Note: in the old times wars stopped before the Olympics, out of respect.