Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Is President Mikheil Saakashvili Days Numbered?

Mikheil Saakashvili

Common Enemy Lifts Saakashvili, But His Support Base
Remains Fragile -- International Herald Tribune

POTI, Georgia: President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia has been defeated on the battlefield and battered politically in his confrontation with Russia, and many Georgians have bitterly denounced him. But he can still muster significant support - bolstered in part by a nationalistic hatred of the Russians - and he is proving more resilient than many had expected.

In recent years, Saakashvili has unabashedly challenged Russian hegemony in the region, forging closer ties with the West and seeking membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There is little doubt that, as civilian casualties and the number of refugees have mounted - and as Russian troops continued to operate on Georgian territory after the cease-fire agreement - many Georgians have begun to doubt the wisdom of those policies.

Read more ....

More News on Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

Saakashvili’s grip on power in doubt -- Financial Times
Georgians ask questions of leader after losses -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Saakashvili overplays his hand -- Asia Times
Saakashvili as a propaganda phenomenon -- Opinion Piece From RIA-Novosti (For Russian Opinion)

My Comment: He will probably survive .... they always do. But his international stature has clearly taken a hit. He will receive support and be invited to the capitals of other countries, but other leaders will always be questioning his sense of judgement.

Why did he attack South Ossetia with a barrage of rockets on Day 1. Why did he underestimate the Russian response. What was his strategic thinking. What was his Plan B. In short ..... what was he thinking!!!!!

Yes .... what was he thinking.

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