August 14, 2008 By Grigory Pasko

Grigory Pasko: Watching the War from Moscow

warriors081408.jpgFor some – war, for some – mother is dear (Russian saying) Grigory Pasko, journalist This sure was a strange war. It was clear right from the start that nobody – besides several politicians – needed it. Several politicians – that would be Saakashvili, Putin, and Medvedev. By the way, the last of these no doubt also did not take part in all the decisions: senior comrade Putin simply ordered him to say this, to behave himself like that and no other way. Saakashvili was pursuing a goal: to attract the attention of the world public to a region of republics not recognized by anyone – South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Formally, they are counted in the composition of Georgia, in practice – they are protectorates of Russia. In South Ossetia even the leadership of the republic – is all Russian. The war ended quickly, like it had begun. A mass of political scientists is already extracting political lessons from it. But I want to bring attention to certain aspects, which, as a rule, remain in the shadows. (Photo: Warriors of the Russian Army – source)