HP et al. Are we really sure how this whole mess got started? I'm not meaning to defend Saakashvili as I don't really know much about him nor Georgia and the background of the present situation. It's awfully suspicious that Russia had amassed significant forces in the area shortly before it exploded. Might they not have put up S. Ossetians to bait Georgia into action?

I usually resist labeling someone as a "dangerous man" (or woman) unless they have a history of doing careless or malicious deeds. Saakashvili might have overstepped at first, but he's seemed most reasonable since. I can't see blaming him for Russia's actions; Russia is responsible for their own policies and actions, not Saakashvili. Could one not just as truly state that "Putin is a dangerous man?"

.
The BBC has obtained evidence that Georgia targeted civilians when they attacked South Ossetia prior to the Russian incursion.

Saakashvili denies war crimes.

Little can be said to defend the Russians -- and I�m certainly not going to. But even less can be said to defend Saakashvili�s foolish aggression.

Once again I am glad that NATO and President Bush had the good sense to not be drawn into his manipulations.