Monday, August 25, 2008

The Forecast for the Black Sea is...

stormy.

Read about Russian concerns and naval countermoves *here* at informationdissemination, one of the best professional milblogs out there for naval matters.

This thread will also be updated with Georgia-specific events over the next few days, if and when they come in.

*UPDATE1*

Seems the U.S. DoD isn't playing along with the Russian claims of having "withdrawn". Words like 'not honoring Georgia deal' are coming out.

*UPDATE2-26.Aug*

So much for diplomatic pressure, so far. Japan cites *grave concern*, and shortly thereafter word comes out the D. Medvedev signed off on "recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia". That was probably not the best move there on Russia's part, unless they really wanted to send a "the heck with you all" message to Europe...

*UPDATE3-27.Aug*

Once more, the diplomatic game is on center stage. David Miliband, U.K Foreign Secretary (and usually leftist tool) is acting uncommonly competent by going to Kyiv (Kiev) and attempting to rally a broad coalition against Russian aggression. Luck to him on that.

Oh, and anyone caught repeating the Reuters "mis-statement" that U.S. Navy or Coast Guard vessels were supposed to dock in Poti with humanitarian supplies yesterday will be suitably pilloried here. It may yet be that an effort will be made to force Poti open, but *nothing from real sources at DeptState or DoD* says it is happening, yet.

7 comments:

Purr said...

I was just reading an article by a Human Rights Expert by Tatyana Lokshina, a researcher for Human Rights Watch (HRW) who recently returned from South Ossetia, describes the conclusions of her investigation there. According to the latest HRW report, the number of casualties in South Ossetia was grossly exaggerated by Russian officials...

ok-- departed-- thanks again!! get some rest too!

xxxx

August 25, 2008 12:52 PM

Marie said...

The exaggeration soesn't surprise me at all

L.Douglas Garrett said...

@All

I am running topic updates on the main thread post as *UPDATES*, but anything that is for your attention but not new news I will put in Comments.

And this is one such item:

Read This

It is by Michael J. Totten, and is a superb job of recounting the start of the conflict.

caveat: It is a long read, and needs careful attention as it is full of details.

Anonymous said...

Michael Totten is on the ground in Gerogia working on the situation there and actually asking people. (Real journalism rather than stingers)

http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2008/08/the-truth-about-1.php

Scott

L.Douglas Garrett said...

On the Naval-wonk side of things:

Russian Navy blogger, working in English

Purr said...

ruggel's site or journal is quite entertaining! LOL

Purr said...

Marie--

I will find that article and post as I know now how to do it!

I found some other ones of interest as well!