War in Georgia: A roundup

Posted By Joshua Keating Friday, August 8, 2008 - 4:20 PM Share

University of Texas

The situation in Georgia is evolving rapidly. Here are some of the latest developments:

Local authorities are claiming that nearly 1,000 civilians were killed in this morning's military assault. A spokesman for Russia's peacekeeping force in the region says that 10 Russian soldiers have been killed and thirty wounded.
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili says that 30 Georgians have been killed by Russian bombing. He also claims that Georgian troops have taken control of Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital. According to news agencies, fighting between Georgian and Russian forces is ongoing.
"War has started," says Vladimir Putin. Georgia agrees.
Georgia will be withdrawing 1,000 troops from Iraq to participate in the fighting.
Envoys from the EU, United States, and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have been dispatched to negotiate a truce.
Volunteer fighters from North Ossetia -- officially part of Russia -- are pouring in to help the rebels.
The Red Cross has called for the opening of a "humanitarian corridor" to allow civilians to evacuate.

Around the blogosphere, Daniel Nexon, Robert Farley, Doug Merril, James Joyner, and Nathan Hodge have all been following this closely.

Watch this space for more.

EXPLORE:CAUCASUS, GEORGIA, MILITARY, RELIGION

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RONMWANGAGUHUNGA

3:45 PM ET

August 8, 2008

wow

What unbelievable timing. Do you think China was informed beforehand?

JGARZIK

6:11 PM ET

August 8, 2008

R/G war, and China

I wondered the same thing. These events cast a big shadow over the Olympics, in terms of media attention. Here in America, the John Edwards circus is also ramping up.

Jeff @ Armchair FP

JGARZIK

2:06 AM ET

August 9, 2008

Times-Online analysis

Times-Online analysis editorial seems to think this war will

determine the course of Russia’s relations with its neighbours, will shape Dmitri Medvedev’s presidency, could alter the relationship between the Kremlin and the West and crucially could decide the fate of Caspian basin energy supplies.

PAPICEK

5:59 AM ET

August 9, 2008

Agreed with all over the timing...

I have no idea whether China was notified beforehand, though my guess is that they knew one way or the other. Putin (yes, I think we needn't concern ourselves with Medevdev) certainly timed the invasion to coincide with the opening ceremonies. I note that one of the blogs Keating links to mentions that August is when Russia likes to make trouble; the month Europe closes down for vacation.

Somewhere, and I wish I could find it now, where Saakashvili predicts that this was coming.

The coverage on this is terrible, so I guess Putin knew what he was doing, and the idea that he may be concerned with how the story gets out is the only hopeful sign I see in all this.

ALBOND

7:10 AM ET

August 11, 2008

Cases of real punishment

Cases of real punishment over civilians of SOUTHERN Ossetia are already known! To poorly you to kill 1,5 summer children? And the old woman at the wrong time met on a way? And to shoot hospital and to kill all who it comes nearer to the aid of wounded people is normal? The Georgian tools have abated - the FARCE!!! As well as the world offered by Georgia!!! Ossetia NEVER belonged to Georgia, the people of Ossetia against. WHAT FOR to IMPOSE WAR BEING covered with PROTECTION of the USA!!!???

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