Vlad "the Impaler" Putin complains we're "trying to get in the way."

[bushmeister0]

Never a good idea to poke a bear.

AP:

"Putin criticized the United States for airlifting Georgian troops back home from Iraq on Sunday at Georgia's request.

'It's a pity that some of our partners instead of helping are in fact trying to get in the way,' Putin said at a Cabinet meeting. 'I mean among other things the United States airlifting Georgia's military contingent from Iraq effectively into the conflict zone.'"

This is what I've been banging on about since last night.

In WWII Admiral Doenitz was constantly complaining to Hitler that something had to be done about our shippments of supplies to the British.

What's so different about us transporting troops in our planes into Georgia to fight the Russians? The Russians have a right to blow those planes out of the sky, don't they? Just like the Germans attacked our destroyers protecting the convoys going over to Greenalnd.

I don't know, sounds very risky. I don't Cheney really thought this whole idea all the way through.

[The Traveler]

1. Russia won't intentionally do that

Risk/Reward structure is all wrong. The Georgian contingent in Iraq is only a couple of thousand or so troops. They represent no significant change in the tactical situation. Russia has deployed around 25,000 troops thus far. They can eat up the 2,000 in short order. Shooting down one of our planes, on the other hand, might provoke a response from us ...

Right now they are holding all the cards. They won't do anything to change that.

[KharmaTrain]

2. And We Can Respond With What?

Yep...Putin holds all the cards and is laughing in boooshie's face. Other than throwing money and arms, the U.S. doesn't have either the military or diplomatic muscle to do much else.

The Neo-Cons went one bridge too far...as usual...thinking they could intimidate and "box" in Russia through installing proxies on the borders...Putin's exploiting the implosion of their power.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Aging cold warriors...

Looking for one more walk in the sun in a geopolitical conflict area they think they know and could prevail in.

Someone needs to tell them that back when the cold war was ongoing, they were mid-level young pups, not "history's actors", and that the real players are dead or senile now. And that they know jack shit.

Exhibit A for the above is Kindasleezy. The woman is a living monument to The Peter Principle. Any member of The WuTang Clan has a better grasp of geopolitical realities than she does. One gets the sense that she is a chronic abuser of heavy-duty psychedelics.

[The Traveler]

5. We have a variety of responses at our disposal

A sane person would not consider them. Of course, that is what has me a little nervous. The sanity of the current administration is doubted by reasonable folk all around the planet.

Additional battle groups already appear to be steaming for the Persian gulf area, according to recent threads on this site. If true this would add to the concentration of air power the US has built up in the region. The big threat in the area to carrier battle groups are Backfire bomber squadrons. Given Russia's previous "an attack on Iran will be considered an attack on Russia" statements, knocking out the Backfires as a prelude to an Iranian incursion might be prudent.

The incursion of Russia into Georgia might provide a rationale for such an attack. Many here have speculated that the Bushistas encouraged Georgia to escalate the South Ossetia matter for reasons unfathomable to the healthy mind. Well, try to think like the sick fucks and reasons such as the above will occur to you.

Anyway, my point is our military has resources yet with which to engage the Russians. Doing that would, of course, would be foolish and rash ... but if there are better words to describe these fucktards I can't think of them.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Agreed...You Can't Argue With A Sick Mind

The Persian Gulf is quite a distance from Georgia...our bases in Turkey would probably be closer, but getting air rights is another thing...and one has to wonder what the Turks...who have interests in the region as well...may be thinking. The way things are going, by the time a battle group gets in position, there'll be Russian tanks in the streets of Tblisi (not that I think Putin will go that far). From the latest indications I've heard (I've been monitoring BBC all morning) is that Sahrkozy will probably broker a deal tomorrow that will formalize a cease fire with Russian troops firmly in control of both South Ossetsia and Abhkazia.

In short, this regime has gotten themselves in yet another diplomatic mess...with little say in the matter and on the threshold of not only failing to support an ally but inviting the country's current crisis through their insipid sabre rattling.

Cheers...

[The Traveler]

7. Yeah

Carrier based attack from the Persian Gulf would be iffy due to the range and refueling requirements. But addition of units would make it possible to employ stuff we have in the Med. And, of course, Turkey is right next door. And we have stuff parked in Iraq.

It would really be a stretch ... but we could do it. The problem is dealing with the ramifications, the aftermath. We all know how good these guys are at estimating that.

Not saying I think they are seriously contemplating such a move ... but I have learned the hard way not to underestimate either their evil intent nor their idiocy.

Happy trails,

Trav

[zbdent]

4. I don't know ... there used to be rules of war, but since Bush got in office,

that rulebook has been used to level a table in the Oval Office toilet ...

[SOS]

8. The Russians do not have the right to shoot down US aircraft

and they won't.
Would the US fly these troop transports over Russian territory?
Of course not.

[Occam Bandage]

9. The Russians do not have the right to attack American planes in Georgian skies, no.

[AllentownJake]

10. Whose side are you on?

Russia is not a benevolent peace keeper despite what you want to believe.

Russia has the right to shoot down American planes?...and you wonder why we lose elections.