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It is so pity to see how subjective articles wrote by Western correspondents about the conflict. Go to the place and see what is going on before writing such articles. Hundreds of people died today and if not Russia thousands more would die. This about it. Recall who started this - Georgia. But in reality it is the US who wants to control oil pipes. It is the US who started a war in Iraq for the same reasons.

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another thing is even more clear, russian troops would not be in in South Ossetia, in Georgia haven't tried to occupy it
myname

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It is no coincidence that this has happened at the same time as the olympic opening-classic distaction technique.

Why do countries hold on so tightly to separatist territories? They are usually far more trouble than they are worth.

The problem is really psychological. What we need is a VirtueScience to reduce greed and paranoia in individuals and countries.

James Barton

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What does Bush and his poodle "GB" do now? It was never a "clever" strategy to push NATO into the East up against the borders of Russia! How insensitive can one be? When the Soviet Union changed from within and the Warsaw Pact dissolved then NATO became redundant. Yet, it "found" a new role as a US stooge and has blundered into areas it should have resisted eg Afghanistan et al. Remember 1914 and Sarajevo! When you unleash puppets on your behalf like the current US educated leader of Georgia, beware of the consequences!
John Edgar

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It seems from the news that the Georgians started night time attack on S.Osetian capital and not thr Russians. Why are you calling it the Russian aggression? Is it a bit of a cliche, Rob?
muppetboy

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If Georgia thought that Nato US or UK would help them, they are sadly mistaken. they don't have oil or any stategic importance for Nato or the US. They will recieve lots of lips service just like Zimbabwe but no real help.
arthur

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Mr. Parsons forgets to mention that Russian tanks entered Ossetia after Georgian forces mounted a major attack on Ossetia. I am courious, what make Mr. Parsons think that Georgian rights must be respected but not Ossetian rights? And yes Georgias desire to want close ties with the West in not a crime, but brutal oppression of it's Osset, Abkhaz and Ajar minorities certainly is.
Jack

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How convenient it is for Mr. Parsons to forget (let's put aside for a moment a
tempting conclusion about his honesty) that the direct reason for this
conflict is not a Russian `imperial ambitions,' the latter, in spite of being
a stock item in the intellectual attic of every `self-styled,' (to borrow a
term) political expert of the class ignorant enough to not know that
peace-keeping forces in Ossetia operate on the United Nations mandate, yet
vouchsafing presumably deep truths about Caucasus, but brutal invasion of
Tskhinvali by Georgian armoured forces on Thursday. An invasion where a number
innocent civilians, children and women --many being Russian citizens-- were
killed. It's a disgrace to see an English journalist covering up murders by a
Philistine propaganda based on xenophobia and incompetence.
Winston Smith

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Strange how in this area of the world, so much volatility has been apparent.
Not to long ago and not to far away, Kosovo was the hit sensation for the beginning of World War 1.
Is it any wonder, Russia is ill at ease,Bush is hell bent on planting nuclear missiles on Russia's door step.
A few years ago we had nothing but scorn for Russia when they invaded Afghanistan but to day we invade Afghanistan and with our misguided sense of humour,
it's O.K.
Also Georgia is trying to join NATO on Russia's door step.
Of course NATO will not let Georgia join, because that would be confrontational with Russia.
One does wonder whether this area is candidate and will bear witness to World War 3