Georgia's "Russian Aggression" claims

[Hotcorner]

NY Times story

[FutureGM]

Well, there were a lot of reports that the Georgians essentially started this whole thing, and this doesn't help their defense of these operations.

 

The biggest mistake that was made was blindly supporting the Georgians at the expense of relations with Russia (which are slightly more important).

[Jimmy]

We also recognized Kosovo too fast and in the process alienated Serbia. Foolish.

[industrialescampeon]

Georgia fell into the trap. The Russians had it all prepared, that's why they gave out Russian passports to the Abkhazians and South Ossetians, shot the unmanned Georgian planes down, and banned their wine from Russia a couple of years ago. But you would think that Georgia would've known better not to challenge the bear. That's where they screwed the pooch.

[Jimmy]

I think Georgia was banking on that if a conflict happened, it would quickly devolve into guerrilla warfare, which is very effective against Russia and the Russians are for the most part unable to combat. Unfortunately for them, this didn't happen.

[FutureGM]

We also recognized Kosovo too fast and in the process alienated Serbia. Foolish.

Russia is just a bit more important in world affairs than Serbia...

[Jimmy]

We also recognized Kosovo too fast and in the process alienated Serbia. Foolish.

Russia is just a bit more important in world affairs than Serbia...

Depends on your point of view. Even in the days of Yugoslavia and Tito, they were an ally. Little ill will is felt over the US-led NATO bombings, but recognizing Kosovo alienated a long-standing ally. On top of that, Russia and the U.S. will never be more than opportunistic allies anyway.

[EricWiener]

Serbia is important, and the backing of the Kosovar rebels, and official recognition is wrong from several angles.

Serbia is a traditional ally of the United States, Albania is not.

The Kosovo Liberation Army was on our list of terrorist groups.

Russia will back Serbia, and the region is much more important to Russian interests than US interests

 

As for Georgia, they should have made noise 10 years ago when Russia began screwing with them, now it is too late.

[Jimmy]

Serbia is a traditional ally of the United States, Albania is not.

I disagree with this. We have been allies with Albania for a while and their population has always been pro-US. They would of remained allies whether we recognized Kosovo or not, you cannot say the same about Serbia. But the rest of your points are spot on.