US to assess Georgia's military needs

[Andrew87]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...y-Makeover.php

TBILISI, Georgia: In a delicate mission, a U.S. Defense Department team is coming to assess Georgia's military needs after its war with Russia, a show of support that is certain to stoke Moscow's anger.

U.S. help in rebuilding Georgia's armed forces, regardless of the scale, could harden lines in the standoff between Russia and the U.S. over the future of a pro-Western nation that straddles a key energy supply route.

Russia has withdrawn most of the forces that drove deep into Georgia after repelling a Georgian offensive against separatist South Ossetia. But it has announced a powerful long-term military presence in South Ossetia and another Moscow-backed breakaway province, Abkhazia.

The U.S. has focused publicly on economic aid for recovery and reconstruction of Georgia.

But the Pentagon announced this week that it would send a team to help examine Georgia's "legitimate needs." It did not say the U.S. would rebuild Georgia's military, but stressed that Georgia "should have the ability to defend itself and to deter renewed aggression."

do you think it's a good thing considering Medvedev said this:

http://www.reuters.com/article/world...66333720080912

He said Russia -- which responded by sending troops and tanks deep into Georgia and routing it in a five-day war -- would have acted just as decisively if the former Soviet republic had already had a roadmap for NATO membership instead of just a promise of future entry.

To me the US envoy sent to assess Georgia's military will only anger Russia even more.

[Erik]

Unless they plan to arm Georgia to such an extend that they can actually win in a war with Russia (very unlikely, given Georgia's relative size) this will do nothing but deteriorate relations and cause more casualties (especially on Georgia's side) if a new war were to broke out.

[Thanatos]

Why do my tax dollars have to go to rebuilding another country's military from a conflict that had nothing to do with us?

[poloport]

Why do my tax dollars have to go to rebuilding another country's military from a conflict that had nothing to do with us?

Why? ill answaer that, because the last thing we need right now is a imperialistic russia cutting the oil suply to european countrys, which are allies of the usa, nor do we need russia regaining theyr former military might and steamrolling over smaller countrys, because sooner or later theyl steamrolled on us.

[clandestino]

I think that to much bonding with USA already costed Georgia to much.

[Andrew87]

I think it's rather stupid they went public with this when russain troops are still not completely out of Georgia proper.

This will result in a very slow withdraw if not a complete stop just when the EU was finally making diplomatic progress.

[clandestino]

I think that USA just want to provoke Russia and it does that on the Georgia's account. If Georgia played as Finland or Azerbaijan this would never happen.

[boofhead]

Maybe they should rebuild their own army. Not that it will make that much difference considering the might of Russia v a small state anyways.

How about let Europe, Russia, and Georgia handle this?

Why not allow the US to be involved in its current crises, without adding more and more responsibilities?

[magpie]

Maybe they should rebuild their own army. Not that it will make that much difference considering the might of Russia v a small state anyways.

How about let Europe, Russia, and Georgia handle this?

Why not allow the US to be involved in its current crises, without adding more and more responsibilities?

Fully agree with your post.+rep. My opinon US political establishment is simply stirring up trouble for its own ends.

[Admiral Piett]

Not...America's...Job...

[Sidmen]

It depends, will the US be footing the bill? Because if Georgia would be purchasing equipment from us - I'd be fine with us assessing the needs they have. Otherwise, if we'd be paying for it, I guess we can give them surplus rifles and equipment that is out of date.

[BritPatriot1815]

America should mind it's own business, I'm fed up of America telling people what is right and what is wrong, they're powerfreaks!!!

[Chukada1]

Didn't America promise Georgia that "It would not be walking the path to democracy alone." As in the United States would give assistance? I guess Georgia is indeed walking the path by itself.

[Norge]

Great news. Maybe now Georgia can fight Russian aggression the next time Moscow decides to expand its territory.
Numbers isn't everything, as history has shown time and time again.

[Farnan]

Seeing as the US and Georgia are close allies than I don't see this as a problem and it is the US's bussiness.

I mean Russia supplies Venezuela and Iran...

[Arto]

US reforms Georgian Army = Russia can do what they want with South Ossetia

[Cavalier]

This is so annoying. Why can't they just get along?

[Elrond]

Rebuilding Georgias small army is not going to cost the US that much - we are talking about a army with a annual budget of $550 billion. Most equipment that is sold or given to Georgia will be mothballed equipment and any new equipment will be made by American companies.

Georgia's military budget is about $1 billion per year and its army has about 30,000 soldiers - re arming it isnt going to cost the US much and it would strengthen their position in the Caucasus.

[magpie]

Rebuilding Georgias small army is not going to cost the US that much - we are talking about a army with a annual budget of $550 billion. Most equipment that is sold or given to Georgia will be mothballed equipment and any new equipment will be made by American companies.

Georgia's military budget is about $1 billion per year and its army has about 30,000 soldiers - re arming it isnt going to cost the US much and it would strengthen their position in the Caucasus.

You can dress a mouse up in wolfs clothing but its still a mouse.

[Philos Sophos]

You can dress a mouse up in wolfs clothing but its still a mouse.

Winter War