Russia/Georgia back to war...

[mykalberta]

Classic case of the EU worrying about Russia shutting off the Gas pipes ahead of winter.

No matter which side of the Atlantic, monetary interests always take precedence over what is right.

[CaptainCrunch]

Personally I don't recognize international law. I think its up to nations to protect their own border and carry forth their national policy.

Its the same problem that has plagued the league of nations and the UN, they can bleat about international law all day, but its only enforcable if its convienient for the nations involved.

If I'm Georgia and I see tanks moving in to staging areas and I'm tiny with not much of an armed forces I would be tempted to be pre-emptive.

[FlameOn]

So Russia is annexing more territory again. After the South Ossetia Georgian-Russian war back in 2008, borders have seem fairly static along former provincial lines but Russia/South Ossetia has just moved the border markers another 2km further out from where they previously were.

Suddenly an oil pipeline and some farmers fields are now part of Russia. Seems like Russian long term foreign policy is starting to form a pattern here. Invade quickly, pull back because of international condemnation, slowly creep further and take more land when international pressure has subsided. We've seen this in Crimea, Ukraine and Georgia. What kind of international response can be taken in cases like this?

TBILISI (Reuters) — Georgia accused Russia on Monday of violating its sovereignty by placing border markers on the edge of the South Ossetia region, leaving part of an international oil pipeline in territory under Russian control.

Tbilisi has not controlled South Ossetia or its fellow breakaway region of Abkhazia since fighting a brief war with Moscow in 2008. Both host Russian military bases, but most countries and the United Nations regard them as part of Georgia.

Russian troops have been installing barbed wire and fences around South Ossetia since the war but residents say the soldiers have now erected border signs up to about 1.5 km (one mile) beyond the administrative border.

http://www.businessinsider.com/georg...rritory-2015-7

[blankall]

Originally Posted by FlameOn

So Russia is annexing more territory again. After the South Ossetia Georgian-Russian war back in 2008, borders have seem fairly static along former provincial lines but Russia/South Ossetia has just moved the border markers another 2km further out from where they previously were.

Suddenly an oil pipeline and some farmers fields are now part of Russia. Seems like Russian long term foreign policy is starting to form a pattern here. Invade quickly, pull back because of international condemnation, slowly creep further and take more land when international pressure has subsided. We've seen this in Crimea, Ukraine and Georgia. What kind of international response can be taken in cases like this?

Unfortunately, none right now. A military response is out of the question. The only response could be an embargo. Unfortunately Russia has diversified their oil and natural gas market...IE China will buy up any shortfall created by embargos from the West.

[Locke]

Thats hilarious, is it the Russians going around just planting flags again?

[peter12]

For anyone interested in the current situation, I would recommend "Russia Under the Old Regime" by Richard Pipes. It explains quite succinctly, the historic pressures that have fueled Russian expansionism.

[worth]

It is one of the most beautiful countries i've ever been to and I made some lifelong Georgian friends there. Russia needs to piss off.

[Locke]

Uhh...the Russians are invading Georgia? I'm in Florida and I dont see any Russians....should I be worried?

/joke

[CaptainCrunch]

With this and the Dutch investigation team for the Malaysian air shootdown putting the blame firmly on the Russian back rebels. Putin's back heavily in the headlines.