what is Russia's real motive?

[dead0man]

Lots of possible reasons to follow:
They want control of the oil pipline that runs through Georgia
They want to punish an ally to America and Georgia was the easiest victim
They want a buffer zone where they can get one
They want to gauge the reaction the west gives to their actions
They want to gauge the abilities of their military against a well trained, fairly modern military

[dead0man]

Control the oil pipeline and hold Europe over a barrel, so to speak.

Which should be unacceptable to the West.

[dead0man]

Control the oil pipeline and hold Europe over a barrel, so to speak.

Which should be unacceptable to the West.

It should be. But because we were stupid enough to invade Iraq, our military is now too over-stretched to start a third war. Even Russia is smart enough not to try and directly topple the Georgian government in a full invasion.

The West's military is over-stretched?  Having Europe over a barrel isn't just America's problem...believe it or not, it would be Europe's problem too.

[dead0man]

Control the oil pipeline and hold Europe over a barrel, so to speak.

Which should be unacceptable to the West.

It should be. But because we were stupid enough to invade Iraq, our military is now too over-stretched to start a third war. Even Russia is smart enough not to try and directly topple the Georgian government in a full invasion.

The West's military is over-stretched?  Having Europe over a barrel isn't just America's problem...believe it or not, it would be Europe's problem too.

I meant the US military was over-stretched. The EU doesn't do any military work besides peace-keeping in Kosovo.

No, the US Army and Marines are over stretched.  "military" is much to broad of a term to be appropriate.  The US being in Iraq was/is not keeping us from assisting Georgia militarily.  I know it's fun to tie everything to Iraq/Bush, but there are enough legitimate complaints against the guy to keep us busy.  We don't need to make any more up.

[dead0man]

Sure, alone you're just individual sticks.  But together, you make a mighty f****t!

[dead0man]

Sure, alone you're just individual sticks.  But together, you make a mighty f****t!

What did you say?!? Together?!? This word is not in the European vocabulary!

We are all small militarily speaking and the few we have is already occupied, and then see the line above...

Sorry.  It's a moderately obscure Simpsons joke.  A "f****t" is a tightly wound bundle of sticks.  link

[dead0man]

Well, if it was pejorative, I tend to think you can...

No, not at all.  Sorry to confuse.

[dead0man]

They would have just kidnapped a pretty white woman if that were the case.

[dead0man]

Yet the goofy Motherland lovers here will still say this is somehow Bush's fault.  Anybody that doesn't think this was Putin's plan the whole time is on crack.

WWIII started 3 weeks ago, we just don't know it yet.