THE GEORGIA-RUSSIA CONFLICT

From the BBC this morning:

Fierce fighting between Russian and Georgian troops is continuing in the Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia.

After days of exchanging heavy fire with the Russian-backed separatists, Georgian forces moved on Thursday night to regain control of the region, which has had de facto independence since a war against Georgia that ended in 1992.

In response, Moscow sent armoured units across the border. Russia says 15 of its soldiers are dead, and separatists estimate that 1,400 civilians have died.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has failed to agree on the wording of a statement calling for a ceasefire.
Q&A: Violence in South Ossetia

Tensions between Georgia & Russia has been rising of late - besides the dispute over South Ossetia, Moscow has not looked favourably at Georgia's aspirations to join Nato as well as the European Union. Georgia has also forged a close relationship with the United States.

It is my fervent hope that the fighting will cease as soon as possible with minimum bloodshed. But sadly I doubt it.... since entering this post, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has declared the country is "officially" in a state of war.