Russia Vs Georgia..a widening crisis!

^ I wouldn't count on that. There is no doubt that the US has the capability to give Russia a tough fight in and around Georgia. There is no doubt that if it fails to come to Georgia's rescue, this would greatly damage its credibility with many countries that depend on its security assurances, explicit or implicit.

The question is whether the cost of escalating the Georgian conflict is worth it to save this damage to its credibility. If the US figures that it would win overwhelmingly, then it would be a net benefit. If the US figures that it would suffer defeat or stalemate, then it would not be worth it.

A lot depends on perceptions. Utelore has given us one possible view.

I mean, technically Russia still does have a large army but its last decade of underfunding, has left it a bit inexperienced and undertrained. Its military equipment havn't really been updated as often as NATO or US equipment. I mean peace is the best solution, but if "war" is going to break out between Russia and US, the US has 'some' advantage.

past performance is indicative of future results, Bush/Cheney/McCain need the confrontation with Russia...period. Compounded with the the U.S military saying and telling the white house...we can clean Russia's clock! again FALSE FLAG. just watch!

This is from current military guys in the DoD. there is no doubt in THEIR minds they could win a black sea/Georgia conflict or even a broader one. I can already see bush bringing up German incursions into Poland and no one did anything type of speech and aggression must be met head on a history tells us. This will be the white houses game plan and most of the American people will be on board as the media in the states is reporting "Russian invasion of small nation"....don't kill the messenger...I know how these guys think. This will kill the DNC with no PRESS as the world and America will be watching for a war with Russia...I may be wrong but who the hell thought just 10 years ago 190,000 U.S troops would have taken control of Afghanistan and Iraq.

I just hope like hell which I am beging to doudt that russian SU-24 and Backfires dont nail that U.S command ship with a KH-31 saying it was painting targets and spying on russian lands. THEN BOY's The shit will hit the fan and I am heading up the mountain if russia goes nukey because The U.S will break the Bears Jaw if it attacks ANY U.S ships and we will no longer be able to chat because of that EMP.

^ Well, we have been watching, hence why we're here. And youve been proven wrong more times than right...no offence to you personally of course.
I just cant see it happening, simply cos people in your government surely are not that stupid...the scenario you described would require decisions being made bordering on insanity.

^ Well, I think a limited conventional conflict is possible, depending on how the sides weigh the costs and benefits.

It's like a poker game. The Russians have raised. Is the US going to see to it and raise too? Or will it fold?

And it's entirely possible, I think, to have a tactical nuclear exchange. It's just like any other explosive device, just more powerful. Even if the worse comes to worse, nuclear exchange would likely only target military targets, not cities directly. The end result might actually be less casualties than a full scale ground war between bordering countries -- like WW2 between Germany and USSR where something like 20%-25% of the population died.

Yes, it seems like the Syrians are taking full advantage of this conflict:



Syrian leader Assad was the first to come to Russia when the conflict started and fully backed the Russians. In return, a lucrative arms deal may be under way now...

Should we perhaps have a more general thread for this? "Russia vs. the West Confrontation" maybe?

I think that the US reply, the US "defence of Georgia", will come in the form of the rebuilding of Georgia's military. Really so far we haven't abandoned Georgia. They brought this attack on themselves by invading South Ossetia. Therefore we sort of had to let the Russians chastise them and chase them out of South Ossetia. But we've been quite firm in letting the Russians know that "reigeme change" is not acceptable and that occupying large areas of Georgia is not acceptable. US diplomatic pressure has saved Georgia from a wider Russian invasion. Combined with a rearmament program I think we can be seen as standing up to Russia and protecting our allies without using force. Besides Georgia did start this conflict.

I'm just curious.

Those American Humvees that Russia captured. I'm assuming they haven't returned them yet (or ever will), right?

Based on Russian forums I read, they're saying that they had some nice technology in them that Russia could use. Is that true or is that just sugar-coating the situation? Is it just junk?

Thank you.

ccL1 said:

I'm just curious.

Those American Humvees that Russia captured. I'm assuming they haven't returned them yet (or ever will), right?

Based on Russian forums I read, they're saying that they had some nice technology in them that Russia could use. Is that true or is that just sugar-coating the situation? Is it just junk?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

I believe there were only four or five Hummers. But from the pictures, one appeared to have a circular mount on the top indicating anything from a machine gun to a TOW missile launcher.

But I do not believe either of those would be any real surprise to the Russians.

As an update, the USS McFaul passed through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles Straits into the Black Sea earlier today.

As I said before I do not foresee an imminent conflict between Russia and the U.S. However things will become more confrontational and tense.

I wouldn't be surprised to see more of these naval deployments in the Black Sea and a buildup of forces in Georgia. Not as preparation for an attack on Russia, but preparation for an attack by Russia. With the conflict now subsiding there's less uncertainty as U.S. forces are less likely to come to blows with Russian forces. Really it will be little more than a South Korea situation, the only real purpose of having troops there being to provide a disincentive for another attack and to delay if there is an attack.

The U.S. will also be sure to restrain Georgia from trying to retake Abkhazia and South Ossetia, though never backing off its position on the two breakaway states. I believe this will become a heavily militarized region in the coming years.