Russia flirting with Cold War 2

Russia's invasion of Georgia could re-write America's foreign policy. Some Political Scientists will say Russia is flirting with setting off another Cold War, while others think a repeat of the first Cold War would be more like WW3. Russian Prime Minister and former President Vladimir Putin even added his two cents about the Russian-Georgia conflict being compared to the Cold War. Putin's role as prime minister is seen by some including myself as a loop hole for a dictator to retain control of the so called Semi-Presidential Republic system of Government.

"The Cold War has long ended but the mentality of the Cold War has stayed firmly in the minds of several U.S. diplomats. It is a real shame," Vladimir Putin.

Russia's attack on the country of Georgia began on August 8, 2008, when Georgian troops where sent to South Ossetia to reclaim the region. South Ossetia is a pro-Russian area which separated from Georgia in the 1990s and became a separate state, without international recognition. If Russia had stopped at "liberating" South Ossetia, this conflict would be over and the world powers would not be as concerned with Russia's actions. What is now being called the 2008 South Ossetia War will have one of two possible outcomes in my opinion. The first being Russia pulls out of Georgia territory within the next couple days and the countries agree over the Ossetia region. Because of Russia's overwhelming bashing of Georgia the country will face negative political backlash, but it will get little more then a slap on the wrist in the end. The second being Russia continues its war path through Georgia and gravely hurts its relations with the U.S and its allies. This second outcome could be the beginnings of the worst World War in the history of mankind or it may destroy all nuclear non-proliferation progress made in the last 20 years.

Georgia has 2,000 troops in Iraq allied with America. The U.S gave the Georgia troops air transport home to defend the country from Russia. The country is considered a close ally to the United States of America. Georgia's ambassador to Washington said he hopes Putin "will listen to what President Bush had to say." "The time is very critical for my country," Vasil Sikharulidze said. "Georgia faces extinction under this brutal Russian invasion." Georgia also holds a key oil pipeline which supplies much of Europe and cuts off Russia as a supplier to the region. This has been brought up as a possible motive for the Russian invasion.What does America do in this situation? Georgia was in Iraq helping America and generally is more in line with Americas values of Democracy then Russia. On the other hand military action against Russia is close to incomprehensible, if not impossible while fighting two other wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I personally don't like letting Georgia being taken over by Russia, because of the message it sends to other past Soviet Union republics who seceded and Russian leaders.