As insurgents tried to grab the breakaway territory of South Ossetia from Russia while it wasn't looking Georgia was overwhelmed by Russian firepower which will teach 'em a lesson for co-operating with the US over that special rendition torture programme.<br><br>km<br><br>

Like the Middle-East, the Caucasus region has enough problems of its own not to need any additional interference.<br>Looks like Putin/Medvedyev have laid the US/NATO plans for Georgia on ice for a while.<br><br>Besides, that darling Saakashvili hasn't exactly shown himself as the democrat he was expected to be, and while the US have provided arms and military training, it isn't exactly likely that she'll get involved openly.<br>Besides, a few weeks ago, when tiny Kosovo wanted to leave Serbia, the west welcomed the breakaway "nation". Makes it really hard to tell those people over there - who are truly Russian for the most part - that what is good for the Balkan goose isn't good for the Caucasus gander.<br><br><br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Like the Middle-East, the Caucasus region has enough problems of its own not to need any additional interference. Looks like Putin/Medvedyev have laid the US/NATO plans for Georgia on ice for a while.<p><hr></blockquote><p>David Milibrand described the fighting as "dangerously destabilising". Trust him to get it wrong - that's what I mean about three BBB's. What's destabilising is Western interference whereas the Russian action is 'stabilising'.<br><br>km<br><br>