Wednesday, October 4 06 (2)

Georgia is arguably partly responsible for the recent escalation, but it is now directly in Moscow's sights. Seems likely that Russia will seek to remind Tbilisi of where the regional power lies (1,2), and also set a standard for treatment of any other post-Soviet republics cozying up to NATO (1,2). It would be a great legacy for outgoing U.N. Secretary General Annan to develop a 'peaceful and constructive' solution to the impasse. With 5200 of 15000 troops now in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL receives robust new rules of engagement. Here's the Global Guerrillas' typology of state failure and occupation.