Friday, August 22, 2008

Most Dangerous Men In The World

Vladimir Putin

Russia’s brutal invasion of Georgia two weeks ago further demonstrates the belligerent and militant mindset of former Soviet KGB agent, and presently the man in power in Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Russia claims the invasion was necessary to “stop ethnic cleansing” in South Ossetia, an area that is inside Georgia’s borders. What really happened was that Georgian troops moved into South Ossetia after military attacks by South Ossetian militants.

According to the Chicago Tribune; “South Ossetia has existed as a de facto independent state within Georgian territory since a bloody civil war with Georgia in 1991-92. No country recognizes its statehood, but Russia supports the region economically and has maintained a military presence there.” (click here for the full news story)

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, offered South Ossetia broad autonomy in exchange for allegiance to Georgia, but South Ossetian leaders have insisted on full independence or annexation by Russia.
South Ossetian forces attacked Georgian troops the first week of August. The attacks included an ambush with rocket-propelled grenades on a Georgian armored personnel carrier that killed two soldiers and wounded at least six. On Thursday, August 7, a South Ossetian mortar attack on the village of Avnevi killed at least eight Georgian civilians.
That evening, the Georgian President called for a cease-fire and asked the separatist leaders to resume negotiations for a peaceful settlement. But when South Ossetian troops began shelling Georgian villages after Saakashvili's call for a cease-fire, Georgian leaders decided to move ahead with their own assault.
Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said in a televised address; “Separatists opened fire in response to yesterday's peaceful initiative of the president of Georgia. As a result, lives of civilians were under threat."

Putin used the Georgian military response as an excuse to expand its power back into Georgia. Russian troops invaded Georgia on August 8, 2008, hundreds of people have died, and over 100,000 civilians have been displaced.

Putin’s storm troopers are still occupying Georgian territory after agreeing to a cease-fire calling for them to move back to Russia.

It seems that this invasion coupled with Putin’s staunch support of Iran’s quest for nuclear bombs, has turned Russia’s push for power has progressed to hard shoving.

With this latest demonstration of brutal aggression, Putin has poked the eye of the West in general and the United States specifically, and is waiting for our response.

Tomorrow, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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