The relationship between Russia and Georgia is long and complicated going back to the 1700s. Russia has protected (at one point saved from extinction) Georgia in the past. In the last decade they have also violated Georgian air space to attack terrorists.

Since the turn of the century the military budget of Georgia increased 300%. In addition NATO supplies weaponry.

Georgia's attack on South Ossetia started the current escalation from Russia to protect their terriroty. They broke the 1992 pact between Georgia and Ossetia and Russia went in to defend Ossetia.

Both sides are putting out propaganda viewing the other with accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Putin uses what many consider to be excessive force to protect Ossetia. Their is a beliefe this is a pre-emptive action by Russia due to Georgia's attempt to join the UN.

I also believe this is not the business of the US besides expressing their views. The humanitarian aid being provided by the US is providing a diplomatic nightmare and will end with more problems in the end then the US is currently expecting.

Either this could lead to a third simultaneous war (highly doubtful) or US posturing that shows they are impotent in the matter and are being blowhards who mettle in other countries business.

Their is a conspiracy theory floating around that Bush is taking advantage of the current situation to make the presumptive Republican nominee more appealing to the voters with his foreign policy experience and the perceived notion the Democrats are doves while the Republicans are hawks.

I do not understand the US media and governments denunciation and portrayal of Georgia being the innocent and Russia being the sole root of the problem when neither sides hand are clean and Georgia's attack on Ossetia.

As i see it Russia will achieve their goals and the global community will only be able to gnash their teeth as they watch.

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Putin is an extremely charismatic leader who has a stranglehold on the country yet is exceedingly popular. Technically he is not Russia's leader but that is a thinly veiled belief.

What I can't wrap my brain around is the threat of nuclear attack on Poland at all. Yes the comment was if there is a war with Russia and Poland on differing sides but still. Putin is starting to worry me. Just the hint of nuclear action by any capable country goes beyond being provocative against any and all countries who take exception.

How can I save my little boy from Oppenheimer's deadly toy
There is no monopoly of common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

Russians
Sting

Then again this is their Cuban Missile Crisis. How would we feel about someone putting missiles on our doorstep as we are doing in Poland.

My mind reels froms the threat of nuclear attack by Putin. Yes the comment was if there is a war with Russia and Poland on differing sides but as a child who grew up during the Cold War this is all chillingly real.

~The Dad