The Berlin wall came down - Democracy came to Russia - and it looked like Europe was moving into a new era of peace and prosperity.
Nothing really changed. Deep in the hearts of the Russian Politburo - whatever name it is now called - lurks an ambition to rule Europe and subject the races that makeup that Federation to Russian dominance.
The invasion of Georgia had many pretences. The tribes that makeup Europe are scattered and divided by boundaries drawn by past invaders and commercial interests. It was unrest by these tribes that brought about the numerous civil wars that killed thousands and redrew the map of the former Yugoslavia.
Georgia was once a Russian possession - and the new Russia wants it and those other states that broke away after Glasnost returned to the fold. All of them are under threat from the Russian armed forces - and all that has been missing is an opportunity.
Dissidents with a Russian background wanting to secede to Russia provided that opportunity - but there was another greater prize to be won by a contrived invasion.
Russian oil and gas has not only provided the money to enlarge the Russian armed forces. It has also given Russia a stranglehold on the west because Europe is now dependent on this vital commodity for heating and commerce.
The only fly in the ointment was a single pipeline running through Georgia - outside Russian control - and therefore capable of neutralising the power of oil and gas supplies being used as a commercial weapon.
With an invaded Georgia returned to Russian dominance that escape hatch for the west has closed. Russia has thumbed it's nose at the European Union and the United Nations - and once again Russian tanks have crossed borders and reimposed control.
Watch for more of the same in the short term as imperial Russia reclaims it's empire !
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