The Globe and Mail today :
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/...
carries Misha Glenny's intriguing geopolitical piece on Russia's invasion of Georgia:
GEORGIA IN THE MIDDLE
The Russians set a trap, and prodded by the neo-cons, Saakashvili walked right in.
Apparently Dick Cheney's meddling in Georgian affairs is driven in part by his desire to influence our November election and to turn it away from a mandate on who could best serve our economic woes to who is perceived as most ready to deal with national security issues.
Georgia's president, Saakashvili, had been building up Georgia's military forces for the last few years and, according to Mr. Glenny, spurred on by Cheney and the neo-cons, stepped into a trap to invade a breakaway region. Russia responded by crushing the Georgian military machine, eliminating any hope for Georgia of recovering their breakaway region.
Please read the fascinating piece here:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/...
It is a comprehensive analysis that explains the players and the motives.
Cheney's motive according to Mr. Glenny, includes shifting the focus of our November presidential election to national security where, thanks to the kneejerk media, John McCain is perceived as the national security expert.
Many of us here have been watching the McCain/U.S. media Kabuki theater on the issue of national security. Wes Clark tried his best to enlighten us, pointing out that the tactical level experience of John McCain's military service does not qualify one to be a national security expert.
But the media went ballistic over General Clark's well informed and sober analysis. I wouldn't be surprised if Dick Cheney himself didn't contact our media to rail against Clark's valid criticism. If it had been covered responsibly and given the credit it was due it would have been a serious chink in McCain's armor.
General Clark's observation is spot on. His 38 years of military experience reaching four star general and NATO SACEUR qualifies Clark as a foreign policy and military expert, par excellance.
And Clark is no friend of neo-con ideology.
I was surprised today when I called Obama headquarters 1-866-675-2008, option #6 to point out this article and to add that Wes Clark would be a great choice for Barack Obama. Not only is Clark sympatico with Obama on domestic policy issues, but, since the neocons may be successful in shifting the focus to national security, General Clark would crush Cheney's efforts to bolster McCain as the national security choice for voters.
I was surprised because the campaign staffer was very interested in the piece in the Globe and Mail and said "okay, I'll put you down in the Clark column"!
Democrats cannot allow McCain to steal the momentum with Cheney's ruthless tactics.
This country needs an Obama presidency. We need Wes Clark to be Barack's ally as VP and Wes would be a great choice, not only in November, but after the election to help get us onto a sustainable path.