[naerey]

I'm pretty sure that everyone has already heard about the war in South Ossetia, though I doubt anyone has heard it all.

Here's a portion of the article from wikipedia (read all):
During the night and early morning of August 7, Georgia launched a military offensive to surround and capture the capital of separatist Republic of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali thus breaking the terms of the 1992 ceasefire and crossing into the security zone established therein. The following day Russian forces attacked Georgian units in South Ossetia and subsequently moved farther into mainland Georgia.

NOTE:
-Georgia attacked with artillery directly on the Capital city of South Ossetia, destroying homes of civilians.
-Russia retaliated by destroying Georgia's whole military infrastructure and bases, also conquering all the tanks/ammunition that the Georgian army left behind.
-Georgia now is being helped by USA, Germany, Sweden, France and many other countries. The only country helping South Ossetia is Russia.

Is Russia trying to get new territories, or is it Georgia trying to do an Ethnic Cleansing?
Considering it's Georgia that attacked (right after it said they will maintain the ceasefire), I'd say the latter..

[Alex Mac]

Haven't they made a new ceasefire?

Ooh, but russia wouldn't...

I think russia are in the wrong, but it's Georgia's fault for starting it. Or something.

[Dan]

From what I have read and heard, I'd say that Russia is in the wrong.
Georgia started to attack because Russia started giving out russian passports and things and started to persuade everyone in South Ossetia to turn back to russia didn't they?

[Spartan Erik]

Originally Posted by Dan

From what I have read and heard, I'd say that Russia is in the wrong.
Georgia started to attack because Russia started giving out russian passports and things and started to persuade everyone in South Ossetia to turn back to russia didn't they?

From what I understand, the majority of people in South Ossetia ARE Russian, hence they had Russian passports, etc.

Georgia started it, and I believe that Russia is doing whatever is in its best interest. Taking out infrastructure may seem a little extreme, but when it comes to war/land grab you need to do what's necessary to win.

Either way, both governments are puppets for the mafia. Putin is a billionaire.. and you don't become a billionaire on Russian salaries for government..

[MadameSkylark]

I side with Russia here. South Ossetia started it, Russia was in the right to defend themselves from further attack by eliminating the threat. If someone uses a gun against you, you're well within your rights to knock said gun out of their hand and then kick them in the face for good measure.

[naerey]

Originally Posted by Spartan Erik

From what I understand, the majority of people in South Ossetia ARE Russian, hence they had Russian passports, etc.

Georgia started it, and I believe that Russia is doing whatever is in its best interest. Taking out infrastructure may seem a little extreme, but when it comes to war/land grab you need to do what's necessary to win.

Either way, both governments are puppets for the mafia. Putin is a billionaire.. and you don't become a billionaire on Russian salaries for government..

... are you kidding??
Putin? A billionaire? His bank accounts hold less than what your home is worth!! (150,000 $ +some shares)
Though he is the ex-head of the KGB.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimi...ersonal_wealth

[Spartan Erik]

Originally Posted by naerey

... are you kidding??
Putin? A billionaire? His bank accounts hold less than what your home is worth!! (150,000 $ +some shares)
Though he is the ex-head of the KGB.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimi...ersonal_wealth

Did you read past the first paragraph?

"On the other hand, there have been some allegations that Putin secretly owns a large fortune. According to former Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Rybkin[264][265], and Russian political scientist Stanislav Belkovsky[266][267], Putin controls a 4.5% stake (approx. $13 billion) in Gazprom, 37% (approx. $20 billion) in Surgutneftegaz and 50% in the oil-trading company Gunvor run by Gennady Timchenko, a close friend. Gunvor's turnover in 2007 was $40 billion."

[naerey]

Originally Posted by Spartan Erik

Did you read past the first paragraph?

"On the other hand, there have been some allegations that Putin secretly owns a large fortune. According to former Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Rybkin[264][265], and Russian political scientist Stanislav Belkovsky[266][267], Putin controls a 4.5% stake (approx. $13 billion) in Gazprom, 37% (approx. $20 billion) in Surgutneftegaz and 50% in the oil-trading company Gunvor run by Gennady Timchenko, a close friend. Gunvor's turnover in 2007 was $40 billion."

Er, yes I read the whole article.
So, would you really think that with $40 billion he'd be leading the life he is now? He could just retire and spend the rest of his life at the Bahamas instead.. I mean, he's already 56 years old..
Anyways, you can't always believe speculations. Surely he's got more money than he says, but not THAT much.

Back on topic..
@MadameSkilark - Actually I'd dare-say that Georgia started it.

@Dan - so, if a country gives out passports, you have the right to kill the civilians that took them?

[BentFX]

I favor South Ossetia. I saw one interview with a south ossetian refugee in a russian refugee camp. He stated that the Georgian forces attacked civilians. He stated that the Georgian forces drove civilians from the streets, then threw hand grenades into basements where civilians were seeking shelter. If the US had a conflict on our border where civilians were fleeing for thier lives, I would hope that we would take action to stop the violence.

Yes, Russia needs to stand down. But Georgia needs to stand accusation and trial for war crimes.

South Ossetia deserves to have choices regarding its future. Yet those choices don't appear to include sovereign nationality. In fact given the situation South Ossetia is over a barrel, where it has few good choices. I believe South Ossetia is going to be a province, whether it is Russian or Georgian remains to be seen.

[scorch94]

You can't really say some country is doing something wrong. I mean this is isn't a movie where bad and good guys exist. This is real world -- thus leaders do what's in interest of them and their people. Wouldn't you do your best for your family and yourself? Of course you would!
Maybe some countries just don't do it well and wisely...