This morning we learned that Russian troops are not only massing along the borders of Ukraine, but that Putin is building up his forces in a major way in South Ossetia. Okay, I know, the most common response to that news is "Where is South Ossetia?" The answer may surprise you. South Ossetia is part of the nation of Georgia. It is just south of Russia, and it is not far from Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. South Ossetia is one of the two provinces of Georgia that Russian forces overran in 2008, the last time before the current Crimean adventure that Russian troops invaded a neighbor.
Keep in mind that this new troop build up is not something that pertains to Ukraine. Russia is putting thousands of extra soldiers into a region that supposedly is totally at peace. The only question that matters now is why are the Russians doing this. Are we about to witness a further Russian incursion into Georgia? Is Putin planning on sending troops in Armenia and Azerbaijan which were part of the USSR? Are these troops stationed in South Ossetia just to overawe the governments of that region into backing the Russian takeover of Crimea? There is as of yet no clear answer.
We also heard further confirmation today that Russia is also putting intelligence agents into eastern and southern Ukraine to stir up unrest. The plan sounds like it would go something like this: first the Russian agents stir up unrest among the ethnic Russians living in the area. Then there are counter demonstrations by Ukrainians supporting the government. Then the Russian agents foment complaints of mistreatment by ethnic Russians which provides the excuse for a further invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops to "protect" the ethnic Russian population.
Both of these developments are ominous, to say the least. The fools in Washington seem actually to think that their negotiations with Putin are having an effect on Russia. Nothing could be further from the truth. Putin is doing exactly what he wants to do. The sooner that president Obama and his half-wit advisors realized this, the better. Sadly, however, they all still seem to be in fantasy land.
Keep in mind that this new troop build up is not something that pertains to Ukraine. Russia is putting thousands of extra soldiers into a region that supposedly is totally at peace. The only question that matters now is why are the Russians doing this. Are we about to witness a further Russian incursion into Georgia? Is Putin planning on sending troops in Armenia and Azerbaijan which were part of the USSR? Are these troops stationed in South Ossetia just to overawe the governments of that region into backing the Russian takeover of Crimea? There is as of yet no clear answer.
We also heard further confirmation today that Russia is also putting intelligence agents into eastern and southern Ukraine to stir up unrest. The plan sounds like it would go something like this: first the Russian agents stir up unrest among the ethnic Russians living in the area. Then there are counter demonstrations by Ukrainians supporting the government. Then the Russian agents foment complaints of mistreatment by ethnic Russians which provides the excuse for a further invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops to "protect" the ethnic Russian population.
Both of these developments are ominous, to say the least. The fools in Washington seem actually to think that their negotiations with Putin are having an effect on Russia. Nothing could be further from the truth. Putin is doing exactly what he wants to do. The sooner that president Obama and his half-wit advisors realized this, the better. Sadly, however, they all still seem to be in fantasy land.
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