
While everybody was watching the games, Russia invaded Georgia. I read reddit and digg and etc... I knew. Most people I know, didn't until I told them, the only thing they knew had happened was the great oppening of the Beijing Olympics. They even thought I was kidding.
Meanwhile the Russians are backing off, and the games continue. I wonder if some people are so immersed with the swimming world records being broke that they haven't noticed at all that a proxy-war was fought. A proxy-war, akin to other battles fought during the Cold War.
The US did close to nothing during this war, Bush moaned and other than that, the USAF gave a lift out of Iraq to 800 Georgian troops. America lost the battle of South Ossetia. Probably they didn't expect Russia to support their allies, Russia is known for betraying allies. But when lives are at risk, when wars are fought, only morons rush in with best case scenarios in mind. The same morons that invaded Iraq and are now stuck there.
Military-wise the US didn't present a threat to the Russian operation because all American military might is locked up in Middle-East (there's where the oil is, right?). US Army is just spread too thin. The Russians knew this would have to end up eventually, but no need to rush, enough time to scare the hell out of Georgians for thinking they can do whatever they want just because they're friendly with the US. Guess what? Doesn't guarantee you much if Russia decides to trumple over the border.
Diplomacy-wise, how can Bush claim any moral ground and say ill of Russia for invading a sovereign nation? Iraq was a sovereign nation. So was Afghanistan. So are others such as Iran, North Korea and Pakistan. How can a warmongering President, who also happens to be an idiot, expects any credit overseas for preaching for a cease-fire or for saying that the invasion of a sovereign nation is wrong?
No medals up for grabs when it comes to war, but this time, in this game, America really missed the mark.