Friday, August 15, 2008

Russia, Georgia, America, and the Beijing Olympics

Russian Georgian Conflict Distracts from the Olympic Games Dry Bones cartoon.
It's becoming clear that this Russian/Georgian "conflict" is rapidly becoming bigger than just an annoying distraction from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in China. As of this writing not only Russian but now American troops are in Georgia.

According to latest reports:

WASHINGTON — President Bush sent American troops to Georgia on Wednesday to oversee a "vigorous and ongoing" humanitarian mission, in a direct challenge to Russia's display of military dominance over the region. His action came after Russian soldiers moved into two strategic Georgian cities in what he and Georgian officials called a violation of the cease-fire Russia signed the day before.

Bush demanded that Russia abide by the cease-fire and withdraw its forces or risk its place in "the diplomatic, political, economic and security structures of the 21st century." It was his strongest warning yet of potential retaliation against Russia over the conflict.

The decision to send the American military, even on a humanitarian mission, deepened the United States' commitment to Georgia and America's allies in the former Soviet sphere, just as Russia has been determined to reassert its control in the area. -more

So how does this affect McCain and Obama, and how important will its impact be in the U.S. elections in November?!

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