Badmovies.org Forum

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7552012.stm

I find Putin to be the scariest man alive... I don't think anything will come of it (Chechnya is still fresh in Rusisan minds) but the potential for an disastrous conflict between Russia and NATO is there. 

Putin is former KGB and still operates like he's in the KGB. I have more concern over Putin than Ahmadinejad. Leaders that run there mouth all the time, I pay little attention too, leaders that say little or nothing ... watch them.

Putin likely ordered the poisoning of Ukrainian president Viktor Yushenko:

(http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/12/05/yushchenko3_wideweb__430x287.jpg)

and of course the poisoning of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko with readioactive isotopes.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/97/AlexanderLitvinenkoHospital.jpg)

He also stole a Patriots super bowl ring (http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2005/06/29/for_putin_its_a_gem_of_a_cultural_exchange/).

He arranged to have himself nominated Prime Minister to get around the Russian constitutions presidential term limits and will be the de facto ruler of Russia for life.   

Now, he's invaded a US ally, possibly intending to annex two pro-Russian provinces.

I wouldn't want to overemphasize the similiarities between Russia today and pre WWII Germany, but they are there.  A formerly great power is shamed in defeat.  A ruthless political leader consolidates power internally and is popular at home for rebuilding the economy and restoring the nation's prestige.  The despot sets his sights on reclaiming the territories lost 15 years ago.

I think this Georgian crisis will likely blow over and Russia is just posturing and throwing its weight around, but it is frightening to think what might happen.

Russia has slowly been flexing it's muscles for a while now, though as far as I know didn't Georgia kind of start this one, or at least some Georgian separtists?  Correct me if I'm wrong there.


The Ruskies scare me, just because of how notoriously corrupt the country is, and how much the organised crime seems to have power there.   :bluesad:

That and they provide power and resources to alot of Europe.  Very touchy situation.  And as Rev Powell mentioned; those assassinations were high profile and quite frightening when you think of what it means to how Russia operates...

Where's Rambo when you need him?  :hatred:

Hopefully all this will blow over in the coming weeks, Georgia has had independence since '91, but some have accused them of provoking Moscow by trying to forcibly impose central government authority on the South Ossetia region. It remains to been seen how far all of this will go and if other countries get involved.

It's a complicated situation.  South Ossetia is a semi-automonous region within Georgia's borders.  Most of the populace are ethnic Russian and would like to join up with Russia.  Russia had gone so far as to issue Ossetians Russian passports. 

The Georgians wanted to retake South Ossetia and assert their national sovereignty over the region.  They signed a cease-fire agreement with the Ossetians, and broke it with a sneak attack.  So, Georgia is at least partly to blame.

But South Ossetia is inside the internationally recognized borders of Georgia.  So, any military action inside their borders by Russia is an invasion against a US ally, regardless of whether the Georgians had clean hands or not.  And few outside of Russia believe their intentions towards South Ossetia are humanitarian.

The situation has calmed down, temporarily at least.  But if Russia is ultimately allowed to annex these two territories, fears that they are seeking to rebuild the old Soviet empire will rise. 

They've now got tanks in the streets of the town, Gori and are apparently, looting homes whilst holding the people at gunpoint. This is according to my national news.