Post-Georgia Conflict Repercussions Continue

by anderson

Irony continues to cut a wide swath in the Caucasus, as repercussions grow in the wake of the Russo-Georgia conflict. After helping arm and train the Georgian military, Israel is now reportedly telling Israeli businessmen "involved in military sales" to halt all travel to Georgia.

Israeli defense officials say the government has told all businessmen involved in military sales to Georgia to immediately cease visits to the former Soviet republic.

The officials say the directive was decided upon this week because Israel is concerned about damage to its relations with Russia. Israel had decided to stop most weapons sales to Georgia even before the Russia-Georgia war last month.

One of Israel's primary concerns is that Russia could sell Iran advanced weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles.

This could be a little psy-oping here, but it does further suggest that, indeed, Israel had been out of the loop on the Georgian operation and that Saakashvili's decision was the rogue move many think it was, one that may have been encouraged by US elements operating outside nominal channels. Long-time Georgian lobbyist and McCain foreign policy advisor Randy Schueneman redound such suggestion, while convenient circumstances brought Karl Rove and Saakashvili together in the weeks prior to the conflict. Both had attended the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference and, in fact, were present during the same conference session on July 12. Speculation, of course, but that is some of what we thrive on here.

This move by the Israelis follows in the wake of Dick Cheney's visit to the Caucasus where his demand that Azerbaijan commit to supplying the as-yet unbuilt Nabucco pipeline was rebuffed by President Aliyev. It was reported that Aliyev refused, saying that Azerbaijan "is not about to start an argument with Russia."