Poll: Regarding fighting in the Caucuses, who do you believe escalated the conflict: Russia or Georgia?

Question

And why do you believe this?

Answer 1

first little history. for over 200 years of relations russians and georgians did not have a war. ever since georgean king pledged to russian tsars for protection from persia and inclusion in russian empire.

back to more recent events. in early 1990s upon the end of previous conflict in the region georgia, s. ossetia, abkhazia and russia signed a treaty approved by OSCE. treaty puts mixed peacekeeping force in the region: ossetians and abkhaz on their side; georgians on their side; and russia in the middle to keep one from the other with obligation to take all necessary steps to stop any of the sides should this side use military force.

even more recently, the US put billions of $ to build oil pipeline on georgian territory, granted 3 apache helicopters, few scores of hummers and tons of firearm and light weaponry to georgian military. plus US military experts trained 30% of gerogian military. plus, of course, put lots of money for georgean army reequipment.

as we know, these weapons were used in a surprise attack on a sleeping city in violation of the above mentioned treaty georgia signed. as per obligation put on russia by that treaty, russian military force 3 times less numerous than total georgean military retaken the city and artillery positions on georgean territory after which stopped and started to withdraw, right by the treaty obligations.

as we know, the US wholly supports georgia here.

it's quite obvious i think that without that military 'aid' that the US provided to georgia this confrontation would not have grown to hot stage. and current behavior of the white house supports this even more.

good luck.

mickael

Answer 2

The Russians escalated the conflict.  The Georgians military is one step above a bunch of swat teams and police squads.  There's basically nothing they can do against tanks and attack helicopters.

Answer 3

Escalated? Russia when they began attacking Georgia proper. Started? Georgia when they began attacking South Ossetia.

Georgia started it and Russia finished it with an overwhelming show of force.

They were both morally wrong. But Saakashvili was unforgivably stupid.

Answer 4

Russians are saying yes to cease fires but lying and are still invading someone else's country.  It's pretty obvious the Russians are escalating the conflict.

Answer 5

Georgia is an outpost of US and NATO forces, on the immediate border of the Russian Federation and within proximity of the Middle East Central Asian war theater. South Ossetia is also at the crossroads of strategic oil and gas pipeline routes.

Georgia does not act militarily without the assent of Washington. The Georgian head of State is a US proxy and Georgia is a de facto US protectorate.  

There is evidence that the attacks were carefully coordinated by the US military and NATO. The war in Georgia is an integral part of US-NATO-Israeli war preparations in relation to Iran.

Georgia does not act militarily without the assent of Washington. The Georgian head of State is a US proxy and Georgia is a de facto US protectorate.  

The attack on South Ossetia was launched by Georgia on the orders of the US and NATO. US military advisers and trainers were actively involved in the planning of Georgia's attacks on the South Ossetia capital. The Georgian attack on South Ossetia constitutes an act of provocation directed against Russia.

It serves to distract Russia from playing a meaningful diplomatic and military role, which might undermine or obstruct the US-led war plans directed against Iran. In the context of US war plans directed against Iran, the US is intent upon weakening Iran's allies, namely Russia and China. The ultimate objective is to isolate Iran, cut it off from its powerful allies: China and Russia. There are some very extensive and detailed studies on www.globalreasearch.ca if your interested in further information.

Answer 6

Innocent people have died, and maybe still are dying, during this conflict but, that smug little jerk, Putin, is showing Bush his 'other' side.  Bush actually thought Putin was his friend!  Russia is flexing again and is mad about our involving Poland in our security.  They have refreshed their alliance with Iran and against Israel.  What was it that somebody said that something hit the fan?  I believe it!