Comments on: Russia Elevates Georgia Crisis http://donklephant.com/2008/08/13/russia-elevates-georgia-crisis/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:41:00 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Susanna K. http://donklephant.com/2008/08/13/russia-elevates-georgia-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-413324 Susanna K. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:19:52 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6826#comment-413324 I've heard a lot of people compare what Russia's doing to the US invading Iraq. But really, it's pretty different. Most importantly, outside of a few crazy neocon businessmen, the US never had any intention of taking over Iraq. We don't want to move in and govern - the initial plan was just to kick out Saddam and move on. The Russia/Georgia situation is, I think, more similar to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Adjacent territory, seems ripe for the picking, can we get away with this land grab? I’ve heard a lot of people compare what Russia’s doing to the US invading Iraq. But really, it’s pretty different. Most importantly, outside of a few crazy neocon businessmen, the US never had any intention of taking over Iraq. We don’t want to move in and govern – the initial plan was just to kick out Saddam and move on.

The Russia/Georgia situation is, I think, more similar to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Adjacent territory, seems ripe for the picking, can we get away with this land grab?

]]> By: vladimer http://donklephant.com/2008/08/13/russia-elevates-georgia-crisis/comment-page-1/#comment-413304 vladimer Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:45:35 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=6826#comment-413304 Most people these days seem to side with the idea that Russians do not care about anyone else. Yet, I find it very hard to believe. As you say, they need others as much as everyone else needs them. Offshore drilling, alternative energy sources will all upset Russia's current upper hand, if it has one. Also, Russians themselves are pretty worried about their own country, Chinese have been migrating into Russia's far East and soon enough there will be more Chinese there than Russians. Keep in mind that population density is much higher in western Russia and there are a lot of Chinese who believe they can earn more in Russia than in China. I find it hard to believe that Russia would consider going as far as Tbilisi, it's one thing when you are trying to justify your invasion as a peace-keeping mission, and it's completely different when your start attacking cities outside of the conflict zone. Result would not be involvement of the West militarily, but results that Russia would face would outweigh any gain. As much as people want to believe, I don't think Russians don't consider those options. Russian market has been declining since June, but drop it sustained because of Russia's actions was severe. Losses Russian economy sustained in one day is much greater than Georgia and South Ossetia's losses throughout the whole war. Most people these days seem to side with the idea that Russians do not care about anyone else. Yet, I find it very hard to believe. As you say, they need others as much as everyone else needs them.

Offshore drilling, alternative energy sources will all upset Russia’s current upper hand, if it has one. Also, Russians themselves are pretty worried about their own country, Chinese have been migrating into Russia’s far East and soon enough there will be more Chinese there than Russians. Keep in mind that population density is much higher in western Russia and there are a lot of Chinese who believe they can earn more in Russia than in China.

I find it hard to believe that Russia would consider going as far as Tbilisi, it’s one thing when you are trying to justify your invasion as a peace-keeping mission, and it’s completely different when your start attacking cities outside of the conflict zone. Result would not be involvement of the West militarily, but results that Russia would face would outweigh any gain. As much as people want to believe, I don’t think Russians don’t consider those options.

Russian market has been declining since June, but drop it sustained because of Russia’s actions was severe. Losses Russian economy sustained in one day is much greater than Georgia and South Ossetia’s losses throughout the whole war.

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