Russia, Georgia conflict Update: Russia ends military operations

[Ram]

Georgia and Russia have had historical tensions over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia. Georgia considers South Ossetia as part of its sovereign territory, while Russia has formally recognized the breakaway region. Heavy fighting has just broken out between Georgian forces and separatist groups in South Ossetia. To make matters worse, Russia has just sent its tanks inside South Ossetian territory to defend it from attack from Georgian forces. And, in latest developments, Russian fighter jets are said to have bombarded targets deep inside Georgian territory. The next 2,3 days will be really important in shaping how this conflict may go. We could on the verge of full scale war here. For more news on this; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7543099.stm

[Texy]

1000 dead already???? 21st century and we're still fighting..... f*^%king Russia bombarding the civilians

[Ram]

The conflict has just escalated, with the Russian air-force bombarding the central Georgian town of Gori. So now, they're not only fighting Georgian forces in South Ossetia, they're actively seeking out targets well within Georgian territory. And two Russian fighter jets have reportedly been shot down by Georgian forces. Here's a map of the region, to under the geography better The question is, will Russia hit the Georgian capital Tblisi? That'll really heat up things.

[Ram]

The pro-Western, pro-democracy Georgian president, Mikhail Sakeshvilli, has asked for international mediation and immediate ceasefire. Why wouldnt he? He desperately needs to buy some time or else, his entire military could be reduced to bull-dust in 3 weeks.

[Ram]

Georgia has pulled out of South Ossetia, but says its not a 'military defeat'

[Guest dada_rocks]

Georgian are now abusing americans and NATO.. What did these guys expect USa to fight for them against russains.. Not in a billion year ... americans only pick targets which are easy to demolish..

[sandtest]

Actually this has all potential to become second version of Cold War, if someone knows the history of NATO and Atlanticist ideologists in west, then they will understand what this is all about. But it seems America is downplaying this and don't want direct confrontation with Russia through proxies in Georgia. problem here is, if America supports Georgia through some military hardware like SAMs and intercepting radars then Russia will have two easy options-- (1) They will send arms and immunitions to Iraqi insurgents and repay US. (2) Russians can also very easily provide some copy of Yakhont like Anti-Ship missile to Iran and make American Navy in Bahrain a sitting duck. At the moment both major powers USA and Russia and well balanced in out-maneouvoring each other, so it's better if this matter settles down without much confrontation.

[Lurker]

Georgian are now abusing americans and NATO.. What did these guys expect USa to fight for them against russains.. Not in a billion year ... americans only pick targets which are easy to demolish..

Right on brother! This is a classical case of how US diplomacy works. They ensured Georgia was getting all the nice soundbites but when the actual war happened US made just that - sound bytes. Russia has both the economic and the military might to decimate most countries in the world, why would they worry about Georgia? In fact they will make an example out of them.

[Ram]

So, after 5 days of military offensive, Russia has finally ended all offensive operations, two days after Georgia declared ceasefire and pulled its troops out of South Ossetia. The French foreign minister visited Georgia 2 days ago and Russia yesterday. It seems to have had an effect.

[Lurker]

This Georgia-Russian war has brought to bare so many apprehensions within US politics. It is amazing to see how much of a loss USA has had in past few years. Frankly when it comes to Russia they can do little more than sabre rattle. However what interested me most was the behaviour of Conservative thinktanks. They do not want an open aggression against Russia but are more than willing to replay Afganistan all over again, this time in Georgia - to arm Georgians against Russians. Seriously, how thick are these people and when will they learn from their history??

[Guest dada_rocks]

Americans do come of as thick idiots conservative/democrat alike when it comes to learnign from mistakes of past.... Who knows may be these clowns don't consider those blunders of past blunders

[Ram]

Lastest update; Both countries agree to uphold a France brokered ceasefire. Russia has ended all hostile military action and started pulling its troops out of Georgian territory. Russian peace-keepers will however, remain in South Ossetia.