Kinda hoping this is true....
You can rest easy, there's no way the US or the EU are getting directly involved (for a while, at least). More interesting question is to what extent Russia is using both overt and covert means to re-exert influence over its old backyard.
That 'cyber attack' on Estonia a year or two ago was pretty shocking.
Now the Kremlin is reacting strongly. Russian warplanes are reportedly striking targets in Georgia. Reinforcements are pouring in. And the Kremlin's mighty propaganda machine is lumbering into action while a cyber-attack appears to have crippled Georgia's websites.
As many commentators have pointed out, this is obviously a warning to the West that Russia is not going to allow itself to be completely encircled by NATO and threatened by the US's proposed missile 'defense' system.
Its lucky Georgia haven't joined up yet, or we'd be looking at a potentially much more serious conflict.
From what I've read the Georgian hot-headedness is likely to count against them in terms of joining Nato. However you look at it it doesn't seem that they made a good move.
You think Russia would've gone ahead with the bombing if Georgia was a NATO member? Membership requires (I think) the rest of NATO to some to the aid of those under attack. Even with an overstretched US, that would be quite a step for a belligerent Russia.
Imagine the US reaction if Russia installed such a system in Canada...
If the whole of the rest of the world went to shit in an armageddon of oil, water and religious wars, Russia could quite happily sit it out for a generation inside their vast well-resourced, homogenous country and march in afterwards.
I don't think I'd put it past them in terms of morality but I don't really see what they could hope to gain by doing this. Not to mention how embarrassing it would be if they were caught - I mean, why on earth would they have US insignia, I'm no expert but surely the first thing to do if you are fighting a war that your country isn't supposed to be involved in is get rid of that?"but would you put it past the current administration to make war by proxy against Russia, via mercenaries, advisers?"
Anyone else seen the rumours flying about that some of the Georgian tankers found in S.Ossetia were black (ie before they were incinerated) and had US insignia? Most likely bollocks, but would you put it past the current administration to make war by proxy against Russia, via mercenaries, advisers?
I don't think I'd put it past them in terms of morality but I don't really see what they could hope to gain by doing this. Not to mention how embarrassing it would be if they were caught - I mean, why on earth would they have US insignia, I'm no expert but surely the first thing to do if you are fighting a war that your country isn't supposed to be involved in is get rid of that?
I'm no expert but surely the first thing to do if you are fighting a war that your country isn't supposed to be involved in is get rid of that?
I don't think I'd put it past them in terms of morality but I don't really see what they could hope to gain by doing this.