Pre-emptive warfare in the Caucasus

Russia seems to be losing the propaganda war in the Caucasus, and no doubt they largely have themselves to blame. But in listening to George W. Bush’s bluster, I can’t help thinking that Russia is simply applying the Bush doctrine, according to which pre-emptive warfare is justified.

Bush also insists that the integrity of Georgia’s territory is non-negotiable. The US were quite right to support the independence of Kosova, but so far I can see no reason why the case of Abkhasia and South Ossetia should be any different.

(Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy motto was: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” G. W. Bush’s might be: “Speak loud and carry a small stick.”)