1913 Intel (Free subscription) | 20/08/2008
A six-day conflict in the Caucasus mountains has transformed the international balance of power, with Russia now looking stronger than ever. But what sparked it? Diplomatic Editor Anne Penketh reveals how the Georgian government walked straight into a trap set by Moscow – and considers the consequences of the first war in Europe for a [...]
The Independent (Free subscription) | 20/08/2008
The Georgian president was on vacation in Italy. The defence minister and foreign minister were away on holiday too. The world's attention was riveted on the Olympic Games in Beijing, where the preparations for the lavish opening ceremony were in full swing.
A Step At A Time (Free subscription) | 20/08/2008
The Independent has published a useful summary of events in the Russian invasion of Georgia. Though the article suffers here and there in its attempts to be “even-handed”, it does give a fairly clear picture of the hours leading up to the Russian assault. Excerpt: On 7 August, the day before the Olympics began, the [...]
