Russia And China Strike Back

August 9, 2008

Elaine Meinel Supkis

Emboldened by NATO's surge deep into former Russian territory, Georgia sent and then increased troops to Iraq to please the US and sides with the US in all disputes with Russia. Ossetia, taking a cue from the US desire for all provinces like Darfur or Tibet to cede from their nations, declared they wanted the same thing. But the US doesn't want this so there is now a war between Georgia and Russia. There are many forces at work here, as usual. This region has seen many wars throughout history. Russia is stronger now and will reassemble its former empire.

Russian jets attack Georgian town

Russian jets have carried out strikes on military targets in the central Georgian town of Gori, close to the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Georgian officials say 60 people were killed when bombs hit two blocks of flats in the town. The Georgian parliament has meanwhile approved a presidential decree declaring a state of war for 15 days.

What is the reason for this war's sudden escalation? Well, Putin is in Beijing. So is Bush. Both are asking China to support them. Bush's methodology is for his wife and buddies in the media to go about the entire planet, yapping about how evil the Chinese are and how all local ethnic or religious battles are the fault of the Chinese and if we pressure China very hard, Darfur and Tibet will be 'free' and we will have destroyed China itself. Wonderful.

China has a 50 year plan to bankrupt the US. It involves drawing us as deep in possible into debt with China's central bank and government. This program of buying up our debts and then holding them over our heads is proceeding very nicely, dovetailed with wild US spending and a total refusal to believe that we have to balance any of our books, ever.

Putin, as I have pointed out so often in the past, has been actively courting China on every level. This has dovetailed with China's desire to secure their borders with Russia and to deal with difficult tribal and religious problems in the Muslim as well as Tibetan sectors. The Muslims trouble them far more than the Tibetans. The Tibetans are very small in number and even though they are the darlings of Hollywood and the US media, they are not capable of resisting Chinese power. But the Chinese Muslims are part of this huge historical movement in Islam which began with the destruction of the Ottoman Empire and the European/US push to annihilate and remove all traces of Palestinians from the Holy Land.

Just as two galaxies, when they approach each other and begin to dance around mergers, suddenly flare up with star-making going totally wild, so it is here: the more the US and Europe colonize and brutalize the Palestinians, the greater the contrary forces rise in Islam. It is now very explosive and very powerful. Both China and Russia feel this power and after 9/11, gleefully exploited the War on Terror. As the US moved towards imitating both the former Soviet Union and Maoist China, they happily encouraged us to do this. But the US, while acting like a cross between Nazis and the Keystone Kops, has decided on this propaganda course that paints the other empires as evil and us as good while we act exactly like Russia and China on every possible level except for the 'balance the budget and run trade surpluses' parts.

So Putin got the green light from China to up the ante in Ossetia while Bush got the red light for upping the ante in the Persian Gulf. We sent in more aircraft carriers so we can menace Iran, of course. Exactly like Russia did with Georgia. Indeed, in Europe, the news has been all about how furious Russia is over blatant US and German/French moves to place rockets and other hostile instruments right on top of Russia's front doorstep. Russia's growls and protests had absolutely no effect as the US merrily spends billions paying for nearly all the military in former Warsaw states.....money that is from China!

Georgia 'under attack' as Russian tanks roll in

CNN) -- Georgia's president said Friday that his country is under attack by Russian tanks and warplanes, and he accused Russia of targeting civilians as tensions over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia appeared to boil over into full-blown conflict. "All day today, they've been bombing Georgia from numerous warplanes and specifically targeting (the) civilian population, and we have scores of wounded and dead among (the) civilian population all around the country," President Mikhail Saakashvili told CNN in an exclusive interview.

"This is the worst nightmare one can encounter," he said.

Asked whether Georgia and Russia were now at war, he said, "My country is in self-defense against Russian aggression. Russian troops invaded Georgia."

About 150 Russian armored vehicles have entered South Ossetia, Saakashvili said, and Georgian forces had shot down two Russian aircraft.

Georgia has zero chance of winning a military confrontation with Russia. The Russian troops are not the bored, angry, annoyed troops of the Soviet state when it was dying. Both Russia and China are seeing a vast, powerful surge of patriotism that is totally underestimated by Europe and the US. We forget Russia's vast military history: when weak, Russia retreats deep inside itself. Then, under the hammer of invaders stealing everything in sight while mocking the Russians, they renew themselves in very significant ways and then suddenly, in a burst, will emerge from this painful cocoon filled with fury, indignation, power and a desire to take back all that has been removed.

Russia will again, dominate all of Eastern Europe because the US bankrupted itself trying to take over the entire planet. Russia knows that the real battles are right on its borders. Starting with Chechnya, Putin began a ruthless and energetic move to regain Russian dominance. The US got permission from China to attack the Russian-supported Serbs in the Kosovo mess. But then bombed the Chinese embassy and then snarled and snapped at China about this 'mistake'. The Chinese move to talk to Putin was partially due to their anger about this incident. They were so angry, they allowed a Chinese demonstration against the US in Beijing, one that got totally out of control and had to be squelched.

But this gave the Chinese leadership a clue about the feelings of patriotism in China. It is a new thing and is very strong. Very strong. We underestimate this power at our own peril.

Israel backs Georgia in Caspian Oil Pipeline Battle with Russia

DEBKAfile Exclusive Report

DEBKAfile’s geopolitical experts note that on the surface level, the Russians are backing the separatists of S. Ossetia and neighboring Abkhazia as payback for the strengthening of American influence in tiny Georgia and its 4.5 million inhabitants. However, more immediately, the conflict has been sparked by the race for control over the pipelines carrying oil and gas out of the Caspian region.

The Russians may just bear with the pro-US Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili’s ambition to bring his country into NATO. But they draw a heavy line against his plans and those of Western oil companies, including Israeli firms, to route the oil routes from Azerbaijan and the gas lines from Turkmenistan, which transit Georgia, through Turkey instead of hooking them up to Russian pipelines.

The DEBKA file is a favorite with many people. If this is the level of their 'analysis' they are NUTS. Totally nuts! Good grief. Russia will never, ever, ever allow NATO to expand into Georgia or anywhere. They are now relentlessly and ruthlessly pushing it all backwards. If Europe supports the break-away republic of Georgia in this break-away mess over Ossetia, they will FREEZE TO DEATH this winter as well as other very unpleasant things. Russia will kill the world's economies if the G7 insist on infringing on Russia's borders. Period. This is war. If we want WWIII, we shall get it. In spades.

Unlike Iran or Syria or even poor little Iraq, Russia CAN and WILL blow up the entire USA if we insist on a world war. The US could have said, 'We want Darfur and Tibet to be independent countries so we will give you Ossetian independence', but we didn't say that. This is because we are playing the Great Game. Let's review the history of this 'Great Game'. All the European kings and emperors played this game. It caused many great wars like the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, countless smaller wars and WWI and WWII.

Each of these wars, Russia seemed to lose at first then came roaring back, quite violently. This is simple to understand. As the cartoon about Hitler talking about invading Russia, the general asks, 'Have you seen a map of Russia, mein Führer?' Russia is big! Very big! Germany can race to Paris in less than three days. No one can race to Moscow in three days. And when they get there, they find that the Russians have moved beyond the Urals to sharpen their swords.

The of the most bloody and long battles in the history of warfare was the terrifying Battle of Stalingrad. Like everyone in the last 100 years, Hitler wanted the oil from southern Russia. Stalin fought him to a standstill in Stalingrad. Once that battle ended, there was this short pause while Zhukov organized his new push westwards. This opened with a 1,000 mile long rocket attack. Relentlessly, viciously, the Russians shoved the Germans backwards. Germany simply held Europe with skeleton crews while throwing everything into the Russian meat grinder. And Russia energetically and happily ground every single army down to dust. When D Day happened, Russia was outside Warsaw. The US encountered very little resistance. But even moving as fast as possible, Russia was deep inside Germany when my father and his units crossed the German frontier near Munich in April, 1945. Only by driving as fast as possible, was he able to reach the secret German rocket caves just as the Russians were entering them, right on his heels.

Europe has seen the Russians surge into Europe in the past. For example, Russia was happy to concentrate on the 'Great Game' when Cathrine the Great conquered Ossetia and Georgia. But when Napoleon suddenly declared war on Russia and ran off to Moscow, Russia was the only European power to win a long campaign against him. England ruled the Seven Seas and easily defeated Napoleon in sea battles but until Russia began its massive retaliation, no one had won a land war with Napoleon. They wiped Napoleon out and ended up in Paris.

Israel says near to getting Russia gas for pipeline

(Reuters) - Israel is close to an agreement with Russia that would secure natural gas for a planned pipeline project between Turkey and Israel, Israeli Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said on Thursday.

The project consists of five pipelines that would carry water, natural gas, oil, electricity and fibre optics from Turkey's Mediterranean coast to Israel.

Israel has always sought to play footsie with Russia while siding with the US who is the main purse for Israeli finances as well as their need to kidnap our entire diplomatic corpse [sic] for their own ends. The US always defends, backs and helps Israeli attacks on its neighbors. If Israel sends jets to Syria or Lebanon or Iraq and bombs them, the US jumps up and down like a little puppy, barking with approval and joy. The US backs the bombing of civilians if Israel is bombing civilians. The US backs the bombing of civilians if the US is bombing civilians! Indeed, as Russia and Georgia bombs civilians, we are bombing civilians in Afghanistan this very day! And our President and the two warmongering candidates running for imperial power are all singing in unison, 'Bomb, bomb, bomb Afghanistan...and Iran....heh.'

Georgia calls for ceasefire in S. Ossetia fighting

(Reuters) - Georgia called for a ceasefire on Saturday after Russian bombers widened an offensive to force back Georgian troops seeking control over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

U.S. President George W. Bush said Russian attacks on Georgia outside South Ossetia marked a "dangerous escalation" of the crisis and urged Moscow to halt the bombing immediately.

Georgia lost. And Europe lost. And the US lost this round. And the new China/Russian diplomatic and military system will now flex more muscles. China will never forgive our move to break up its own country. Never. The Chinese dragon is subtle, though, believe it or not. When the US went on a diplomatic frontal attack while begging for more loans, the Chinese slapped back with full indignation. But didn't cut off the lending. This is because they have this 50 year plan and know it will work in the end. So they hold their fire. But note that the Russian/Chinese alliance has strengthened Russia tremendously. China is OK with Russia regaining territory in the south.

Also, last month, I mentioned the business of empires securing their borders before attacking. Russia and China signed a joint treaty just last month securing their borders once and for all. This was important for both nations so they can act in concert. They couldn't do this previously because of these disputes which led to considerable bloodshed in the past 50 years.

Afghan troops and civilians surround RIR base after child death

Afghan soldiers and civilians have confronted troops at a Royal Irish Regiment base in Afghanistan following the death of child.

Trouble flared in the already volatile Sangin area of Helmand Province in the south of the country after indirect fire weapons used by British soldiers from the Parachute Regiment struck a mother and daughter.

Despite receiving urgent treatment from Royal Irish medics at a nearby joint Afghan National Army (ANA) and Operational Mentor Liaison Team (OMLT) patrol base, the child died.

The death sparked outrage among local people and members of the ANA, who then surrounded the RIR base.

This news is from England. Not the US. Heaven forbid, our masters were to remind us of all the civilians we are butchering in Afghanistan! We are losing this war and the Afghanis know it. They remember how they destroyed the Soviet Union. They can see the light at the end of this particular tunnel. They know we will retreat once our finances collapse. Russia and China know this, too. So does Europe. Europe is frantically expanding in the hopes their lose, inept confederation can be set in cement with the new 'treaty' that removes local power from 'countries' and puts them into a Directory almost exactly like the one Napoleon overthrew in France....I see a historical trend here!

Russia sees it too. They don't want a new Hitler or Napoleon rising up in Europe and menacing them. So they will move against all this, pre-empt it. Putin knows the Germans very, very well.

Friday: 2 Marines, 27 Iraqis Killed; 81 Wounded

A large car bomb killed and wounded scores of people in northern Iraq today. Overall, at least 27 Iraqis were killed and another 81 were wounded across the country. Two Marines were killed as well. Meanwhile, Georgia and El Salvador recalled troops, Moqtada al-Sadr disarmed most of his Mahdi Army, and the Kurdish leader visited Kirkuk.

Two Marines were killed in a non-combat related incident in Anbar yesterday. Also, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton in California has been ordered to stand trial for the murder of detainees in Fallujah.

A brigade of Georgian troops stationed in Iraq have been called back to the former Soviet Republic as Russian troops entered South Ossetia in a surprise offensive that may be the harbinger of an all-out war between the neighboring countries. South Ossetia is an autonomous region of Georgia that won de facto independence in the 1990s and is home to a large population of Russian citizens. Separately, El Salvador recalled some of its troops home thanks to mproving security in Iraq.

Americans don't notice the near-daily death toll in Iraq because the US media conveniently doesn't report on this, either. They are big pushers of the idea that we must be weeping over Darfur's desire to split up Sudan or Tibetans wanting to split China in two. Those are good! And it is evil to have foreign troops occupy other 'nations' and bombing civilians is totally evil.

This is why the US peace movement is dead. Like little clucking hens, activists run all over the map. They may want the US to disarm a tad and stop the imperialism but at the same time, they want to intervene on behalf of all uprisings and nation-destruction across the planet. The US imperialists use this desire very cynically which is why I said many years ago, the US peace movement should focus on nuclear disarmament and defunding the military/industrial complex.

And not because I love peace. But because our empire was too big and too unwieldy. We have been an empire since day one when the first European set foot here. All big nations are empires. All became big violently. Empire building has been going on since the first city-state. Knowing when to stop imperial over-reach is the real business here. The US grossly over-expanded after WWII. Instead of undoing this, we made it worse and worse and worse.

Russia and China both have a right to control their immediate borders and to stop any moves to splinter themselves into smaller entities. Both have to beware of military over-expansion into far corners of the world. They have to balance budgets with imperial desires of control. So does the US. After Russia fell, we should have reduced our imperial obligations. Instead, we expanded them, fatally. So now we must confront a united Russian and Chinese alliance on the very doorstep of a powerful, well-funded and totally outraged Russia. Backed by a very angry China.

On with the Olympic Imperial Marathon, the Great Games!

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Comments

[Blunt Force Trauma]

It is amazing how the lamestream media is painting Georgia as 'innocent' in all of this when it was Georgia that launched the attack upon South Ossetia, backed by US money, weapons, troops and training.

link from from Nov. 11, 2007:

http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/arms_build_up_as_georgia_prepares_war_on_abkhazia_south_ossetia.html

[Blunt Force Trauma]

My bad.

Link not working. Google this headline;

Georgia in US-financed arms race for war on Abkhazia, South Ossetia

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Yes, the media is pushing us into WWIII. This is why the last two candidates for next war leader are both war mongers. Obama, slightly less than McCain who is a total war lunatic.

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Here is another story by Reuters as posted on MSNBC, July 15, 2008:

U.S.-Georgia training begins amid Russia strain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25684774/

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

The US held very provocative war games in the Black Sea this summer. We did this on the Chinese dime.

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Elaine, sorry for the many news story postings. This is too important to be ignored as the powers-that-be can be seen as insane or blatantly crazy for attacking the Russians. 'Ivan' will not rest easy.

The following story actually tells the truth.

German minister says Georgia ‘breaking international law'

(backed by the US, of course)

If the following link doesn't work, copy the above headline as it appears in Khaleej Times Online.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2008/August/theworld_August548.xml&section=theworld&col=

[Ralph]

Putin despises zionists and their US backers. He is aligned with the Russian orthodox church. US-Israeli-Georgian battle, will backfire so miserably.

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Rudd stunned as Russia's war on Georgia claims 1500 lives

With the world's eyes focused on Beijing, up to 1500 people died as US-backed Georgian forces tried to reclaim a Russian-backed breakaway province.

Stunned Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sat metres away as US President George W. Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin debated the invasion during Friday's Olympic opening ceremony.

"The President and Mr Putin were in animated conversation two seats in front of us and I imagine they had a few things on their agenda," Mr Rudd said.

'Animated', huh?

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24154620-661,00.html

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Putin: 'You are so stupid, you mistake a banana for your dick.'

Bush: 'I thought it tasted funny.'

[Koshka]

World war starting and Putin leaves China and goes straight to the battle.

Bush still in the capital of a strategic ally of Russia.

I hope the Chinese let him come home on schedule...

[CK]

@Koshka: Why?
As the world now understands, Enemy combatants have no rights.

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Normally, Russia had to worry about China or Japan in its rear. Now, all is secure in this regard so Russia can concentrate on teaching Europe a lesson in Real Politik.

So far, Europe has ridden on the coattails of the US empire. But we are bogged down and are owned by Israel anyway and Israel doesn't care nearly so much about the Caspian as the Persian areas right now.

The Jewish demonstration of strength last month in the Mediterranean backfired. It moved everyone forwards, not backwards in war planning. And it convinced any laggard Iranians that they must arm themselves with nuclear bombs, no ifs, ands or buts.

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/10/content_9112445.htm

From the ever-helpful Chinese news service:

Iran urges immediate ceasefire in South Ossetia

(Xinhua) -- Iran Saturday called for an immediate ceasefire in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia where the ongoing conflict has reportedly killed 1,500 people, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned about the current conflict in the South Ossetia which claimed the lives of many defenseless civilians," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said.

Calling for an immediate truce to rescue civilians, Qashqavi expressed the hope that the belligerent rivals would exercise vigilance to help resolve the issue through peaceful means.

He warned that continuation of such crises could leave negative impacts on the stability and security of Caucasus as well as the entire region.

Iran is to help restore peace and stability to the region and spares no efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully, the spokesman said.

HAHAHA. My cartoons are exactly right. This is pure Meow Iran Kitty sort of talk. They do read my blog, by the way. Seriously.

[GK]

This has ZBig written all over it.

The 7 years of US-Europe-Britain-Israel-Neocon middle east agenda is over. ZBig is in power now and that means constant attack of Russia. He has 6 months to prove his plan and then if it looks good for making money on war/oil profiteering then we will get his Obama puppet installed for him.

Otherwise we are back to the old neocon-middle-east-Iran McCain meat grinder.

[GK]

And if we go back to the neocon-iran McCain meat grinder, who better join him then an Israeli.

I have always predicted that they would use a near-death president (McInsane) to stick an Israeli into Whitehouse so they can save all the time and effort that AIPAC does.

The only question worth betting on is what will kill McCain: skin cancer, micro nuke, insanity, old age, squeeky someone, the choices must be so fun to Mossad to dream about.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4af34942-65a1-11dd-a352-0000779fd18c,dwp_uuid=729ab242-9cb1-11db-8ec6-0000779e2340.html

Lieberman ‘on McCain short-list’

By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington

Published: August 9 2008 00:35 | Last updated: August 9 2008 00:35

J"oe Lieberman, the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee who has endorsed John McCain, is being vetted as a potential running mate for the Republican presidential hopeful, according to an adviser to Mr McCain’s ­campaign."

[blues]

Let me take a shot at this one. South Ossetia is a little bitty scrap of territory with about 70,000 residents. Technically, it it considered part of Georgia (which has about 4.6 million residents, and is about 20x larger in area.). However, their language and ethnicity are quite distinct. For maybe two decades, Russia has been warning Georgia to avoid interference with the administration of South Ossetia. In the last decade or so, the US has invested a relatively enormous amount of military aid in Georgia. Georgia is on the brink of joining NATO. This could bring the US "anti-missile" system yet closer to Russia. Georgia also has a vast oil, water, and fiber optic pipeline that could circumvent a Russian pipeline to reach ocean ports and supply fuel, etc. to Israel.

Now that Georgia has all these US supplied weapons and US trained military personnel, it's leaders are feeling powerful, and have invaded South Ossetia, and smashed its cities. They have fallen into a trap, thinking they could fend off Russia, stupidity and death being the mightiest forces in this little world.

This is the perfect opportunity for Russia to begin asserting itself in the regions that encircle it. I am 75% sure that Russia will take full advantage of this situation, and will conquer and dominate all of Georgia. And they will not make the stupid mistakes that the US has perpetrated in Iraq. I suspect the Russians will exploit this windfall maximally.

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Correct, Blues. You nailed it.

[GK]

I think that is exactly what ZBig wants Russia to try to do, and prays they will get trapped indefinitely in Georgia (receiving unlimited US/Israeli help) just like he get Russia stuck in Afghanistan.

He is very proud of that. I do not doubt his hubris that thinks he can pull this off again.

You seriously think the US believes they cannot keep Russia stuck in Georgia indefinitely?

As I have been saying, this is just teeing up for the WWIII between China/Russia (Manufacturing/Resources) and EU/British/US/Israel (MIC Manufacturing/Money Printing) to cover up for the insane money printing and debt.

[Carli]

Blues, you are spot on. This has backfired on the Israeli plan for Iran. They now know they are up against an opponent who is not bankrupt and who can engage them while their faucet of funding is drying up. You do not play Russian roulette with a Russian. Nor do you play Texas Hold 'Em with a cowboy from Connecticut. He will go all in with nothing in his hand...

GK, "...what ZBig wants Russia to try to do, and prays they will get trapped indefinitely in Georgia (receiving unlimited US/Israeli help)..."

On China's dime? I don't think so. And guess what, both the Neocons and their Zionist handlers know it! Read this: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=332835

What's most interesting is how this news emanates out of Israel! Tactless in the extreme, poor projection of confidence.

The ferocity of Russia's engagement has clearly stunned the Zionists (who are used to dealing with second rate military opponents). No amount of Israeli/American training could have prepared the Georgians for the licking they got the past two days.

[GK]

Elaine, any relation to the last name Steele?

http://www.conspiracypenpal.com/rants/ww3.htm

WAR ALERT!!!
by Edgar J. Steele

"I believe we are on the verge of the outbreak of World War III. Right now.
...
There is a convergence of factors ...

Huge Naval Armada Steams for Persian Gulf
..
Russia Invades Georgia - Does this stymie Russia for a time?
...
Just-Completed Israeli War Games Simulated Iran Invasion
...
Us Anti-Iran Rhetoric Just Ratcheted Up Several Notches

American traitor and main Jewish cheerleader for Israel, Senator Joe Lieberman, just called for the invasion of Iran, saying that its rhetoric constitutes a "war crime." Dick Cheney just amped up his own rhetoric and has gone on the circuit, plumping for an invasion of Iran. General US anti-Iran rhetoric has gone up significantly in the past few weeks and days.

Olympic Games Just Began - Does this stymie China for a time?
...
US Stock Market Suddenly Boosted When It Should Have Dropped Precipitously
...
Precious Metals Hammered Unmercifully and Unaccountably
...
US Economy About to Crash and Burn
...
US Air Force Joins the Others with a Jew at the Head

The US Air Force's commanding general has just been replaced with a Jew. The army long has been in the hands of one Jewish general after another and the Marine Corp's top general was replaced with a Jew recently, too. I don't care just how anti-Semitic you might take my pointing this out as being. Facts are facts. Consider how obvious the fact is that our current Middle East warmongering is in support of Israeli (Jewish) interests. Now there is no chance whatsoever that American military units will act against Israel's interests.

Obama May be About to be Elected
...
Next, look for a US aircraft carrier to be sunk with all hands lost.
...
Then - Martial Law and a National Draft
...
What to Do?
...
Get out of the cities. ...Stock up on food and water. "

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Blues, you got it! And to back up, further, what you said, I found a couple more links (below).

Putin and the South Ossetians are absolutely right. Once again the US and its Georgian puppet are trying to bring bloodshed, murder and ethnic cleansing to yet another part of the globe, over oil. Especially since 'Junior' and his cabal have been absolutely checkmated over the Caspian basin.

Oil and prestige fuel the 'New Cold War'

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/world/Oil-and-prestige-fuel-.4375169.jp

Georgia Pulls Troops From South Ossetia After Losses

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aG6rQx9Xn7Xk&refer=home

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Overheard at the Olympics' opening ceremonies (not really)....Bush: "For my next trick...."

Massive US Naval Armada Heads For Iran

http://www.infowars.com/?p=3849

Original here:

http://europebusines.blogspot.com/2008/08/massive-us-naval-armada-heads-for-iran.html

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Russia won the fight. This is because they used a concentration of forced, had the vast majority of the Ossetian population on their side and thus, not the slightest problem holding down the rear. And they had strong allies who didn't yap at them or demand they stop.

The funny thing is, Iran told Georgia to stop fighting. Heh.

I knew the Russians would win and suggested why: History is clear that Russia is now resurgent again. Ditto, Chinese nationalist pride. They are not push overs with unhappy inductees forced into meaningless struggles with natives who hate them.

[Q]

Doesn't make too much sense. Someone goaded the Georgians into doing the most stupid act imaginable, starting a war with a very determined and armed Russia. The question is why sacrifice a strategic piece of real estate in Central Asia at this time? Georgia was toast as soon as the tank columns and bombings moved south on Friday. The Israelis and the neo-cons may be that crazy to sacrifice a whole country, a strategic one at that, to further paint Russia as part of the evil axis that must be contained. Too many countries may be pulled into the mix, but I guess that was the intention. It's going to be a cold winter.

[Randy]

When playing chess, one needs to look at the whole board - the naval armada that is mentioned above consists of ships from some of the regular players building an impressive naval blockade in the Persian Gulf. Remember how Bush and Cheney crow about all options being on the table and that it's ok to use small nukes? Well this might prove to be a cherry that is too tempting for Putin not to pick - a couple of 'small' pre-emptive ICB nukes could quickly send the majority of those floating tin cans bunched up on the Persian pond to the bottom, and the neatest thing for an aggressive Russian Bear is that they are a legit military target with no civilian collateral damage, most of the radioactive contamination will go down with the fleet. If there was immediate nuclear retaliation to mainland Russia then you have got a quick start to WIII, if not then it would be interesting to see if anyone has studied the history books on Pearl Harbor and learnt anything from it.