“Seems, to me, to be a payoff. Georgia for non-involvement from Russia when the US invades Iran. Just my thoughts.”

Hell NO! The US would NOT give up Georgia if they could help it, because that would be the natural route into Iran for Russian forces. Russia -> Georgia -> Armenia (a state friendly to both Russia and Iran) -> Iran.

If the US controlled Georgia, they could stop Russian forces from being able to help Iran before it was too late. Now, Russia has just proved they can roll massive armoured columns through Georgia in days. It would not take much longer to get them to Iran.

The pipeline is NOTHING compared to that. Pipelines are a dime a dozen in the scheme of things, but blocking the Russian route of advance into the Middle East makes the Middle East the US’ playground. That is FAR more important than a pipeline that is nothing more than an alternative route.

—-

@Spencer

“Would you guys agree that if Russia tries to take over Georgia proper and overthrow its president then it has gone too far?”

What, you mean like the US did in Serbia, Iraq, and is threatening to do in Iran? What about Cuba, Panama and Grenada? Or dozens of South American nations?

No, I think if Russia did that, they would only be doing what the western world has defined as the appropriate response to an unfriendly regime in a strategic country!

—-

@DEEP RED

“@ Spencer. Do you really care? What if they do would it have an impact on your life in any way?”

Actually it will, and it has. An Iran war is much more unlikely now because Russia just proved it has the will and capacity to come to Iran’s aid. US power in that region has just taken a MASSIVE blow. All those little nations that were considering accepting US “assistance” will now be very strongly rethinking that idea, because it is clear the US/NATO wouldn’t help them even of they could.

The US was relying on Russia not calling their bluff, and telling these nations that Russia would never dare… well, they dared and they won.

Go to:

http://msn.kauppalehti.fi/inde.....mp;ext=msn

and scroll down a little – small picture in a red box. It’s an add/link to a Finnish news website, yet that specific picture can be found in this add only, not in the story.

Another photo I found at

http://www.usatoday.com/travel.....=000000000

but that picture isn’t as clear in terms of how the thumb is placed.

Anyone seen a video clip – or better photos of the meeting?