FROM RUSSIA, WITH NO LOVE!

And Georgia wrote a check they cannot cash! When the orders to invade their separating neighbour, South Ossetia was made, little did they know that the almighty red army from their northern neighbour, Russia will roll down their tanks to kick some butts. It was a historical misjudgment on the part of the policy wonks at Tbilisi, to think that Russia will let them have their way in South Ossetia, unanswered. A school of political science would have added, and why didn't Russia crush Georgia's separation from the former old Soviet Union if invasion is the proper means of securing back a disgruntled break-away region like South Ossetia? It was just three days after Georgia launched a military assault aimed at reclaiming the breakaway province of South Ossetia, that a bellicose Russia is defending the province with artillery and bombing campaign it began against Georgia in response.

Anyway as the entire world tries to pull back the now awakened sleeping bear - a former world super power, let the other little guys around the world take a lesson in what is unfolding in the Baltic State and learn how not to poke a stick in the eyes of a giant. Also let the big guys take a cue on how not to be a firepower-bully from America's stance with Cuba - America who could easily have crushed Cuba if it wanted but tolerated both countries co-existence within just 90 miles from each other despite all the sabre rattlings cum provocations. The people at Washington chose to wait Fidel Castro out and they are succeeding. Russia and China, this might be the way to go against little neighbours of yours; after-all don't you already have enough mouths to worry about, why desire some more? It is mutual reciprocity that is the only meaningful key to peace on earth. Luckily, the other possible flash-point, Taiwan has recently toned down their rhetoric against mainland China and there is presently, a relative calm on the strait of Taiwan - the little pond separating Taiwan from China.

Hopefully the world will be able to persuade the Russians to pull back their charging tanks and allow Georgia to be and try to put back what has been decimated. Icheoku says did the people at the helm of affairs in Tbilisi consult Washington before embarking on their misguided provocation of the Russians? Also did somebody somewhere assure them that the Russians will not come charging down with their tanks to crush such mis-adventure? Remember France's Chirac gave similar assurance to the then mad man of Baghdad, "Sad man Insane" that Americans will not attack his country! Men with power as well as countries with power will always have their way; so little guys deploy your brains instead of your Lilliput army which will never be a match against the heavy hitters, which unfortunately still includes Russia; this is a beginners class in diplomacy 101!

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Sunday his troops were retreating against Russia's superior firepower; to which Icheoku says, you should have known that before sending your army up north to the "breaking-away" South Ossetia. Georgia, you should have been fully seized of the fact that South Ossetia was a bait which Russia was waiting for you to bite with your botched invasion, before charging south to teach you a lesson in how to be a submissive neighbour.Possibly the men of power of this world including America's President Bush, European Union's President Sarkozy, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Russian other ceremonial President Medvedev, (depending on who is in-charge in Russia) will see reason to amicably settle what may turn into a major world showdown. Icheoku prays that some bloated egos are bottled up quickly enough in the interest of peace; otherwise the developing crisis in the Balkans may force a global conflict of unimaginable proportion. Believing that Russia will be persuaded to cease and desist from further attacks on Georgia, Georgia's Mikhail Saakashvili and the Russia puppet at South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity should please take some civics lesson and be smart by half; in the future, please avoid kindling a fire that might turn into an inferno and eventually consume your sorry little asses! Next time both of you may not be this lucky, Icheoku says!