08-14-2008, 08:11 AM
Russia shows who's the boss
Lynn Berry on why Moscow has sent its troops into Georgia
Russia has made clear it calls the shots in this part of the world, a message other former Soviet Bloc countries cannot ignore. Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has been a loyal US ally and has portrayed his nation as a beacon of democracy. But when he tried to stand up to his country's former masters in Moscow, he faced the full wrath of the Russian Army.
Washington could do little but spout angry words as Russian tanks rolled across Georgia's borders last week and its aircraft began dropping bombs on villages and towns. Russia was punishing Georgia for moving into the separatist region of South Ossetia to claim back territory that has been effectively under Russian control since 1992 - but also for turning its back on Moscow and throwing in with the West, seeking to join NATO and cozying up to Washington.
Russian leaders had seethed as Georgia brought in Americans to arm and train its troops. One of the first spots hit by Russian aircraft was a military base outside the capital where more than 1,000 US Marines and soldiers led exercises last month. In ordering a halt to military action on Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Georgia had been punished enough. "The aggressor has been punished and suffered very significant losses. Its military has been disorganised," Mr Medvedev said.
The overwhelming use of force caused alarm in other eastern European countries that aspire to NATO membership, like Ukraine, or have recently joined the alliance. Russia has threatened to target ballistic missiles at them if they allow the US to base a missile defence system on their territory. After the attack on Georgia, the threat is likely to be taken more seriously.
The leaders of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia rushed to Mr Saakashvili's defence on Tuesday, travelling to Georgia and appearing together at a mass pep rally in the center of Tbilisi, the capital. "We came to fight since our old neighbour (Russia) thinks that it can fight us," Polish President Lech Kaczynski said. "This country thinks that old times will come back, but that time is over. Everyone knows that the next one could be Ukraine, then Poland."
But Georgia's experience shows the US can do little in Russia's neighbourhood when Russia feels its interests are threatened. A US State Department envoy who was in Tbilisi, has all but acknowledged as much.
Lynn Berry on why Moscow has sent its troops into Georgia
Russia has made clear it calls the shots in this part of the world, a message other former Soviet Bloc countries cannot ignore. Georgia's President Mikhail Saakashvili has been a loyal US ally and has portrayed his nation as a beacon of democracy. But when he tried to stand up to his country's former masters in Moscow, he faced the full wrath of the Russian Army.
Washington could do little but spout angry words as Russian tanks rolled across Georgia's borders last week and its aircraft began dropping bombs on villages and towns. Russia was punishing Georgia for moving into the separatist region of South Ossetia to claim back territory that has been effectively under Russian control since 1992 - but also for turning its back on Moscow and throwing in with the West, seeking to join NATO and cozying up to Washington.
Russian leaders had seethed as Georgia brought in Americans to arm and train its troops. One of the first spots hit by Russian aircraft was a military base outside the capital where more than 1,000 US Marines and soldiers led exercises last month. In ordering a halt to military action on Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Georgia had been punished enough. "The aggressor has been punished and suffered very significant losses. Its military has been disorganised," Mr Medvedev said.
The overwhelming use of force caused alarm in other eastern European countries that aspire to NATO membership, like Ukraine, or have recently joined the alliance. Russia has threatened to target ballistic missiles at them if they allow the US to base a missile defence system on their territory. After the attack on Georgia, the threat is likely to be taken more seriously.
The leaders of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia rushed to Mr Saakashvili's defence on Tuesday, travelling to Georgia and appearing together at a mass pep rally in the center of Tbilisi, the capital. "We came to fight since our old neighbour (Russia) thinks that it can fight us," Polish President Lech Kaczynski said. "This country thinks that old times will come back, but that time is over. Everyone knows that the next one could be Ukraine, then Poland."
But Georgia's experience shows the US can do little in Russia's neighbourhood when Russia feels its interests are threatened. A US State Department envoy who was in Tbilisi, has all but acknowledged as much.