Ukraine's European Revolution?

[Jacob]

No, it was more that with the world's attention captured by the games, other news captures less international attention.

I think the story of "Russian tanks in foreign country during Beijing Olympics" is significantly different than "Russian tanks in foreign country during Sochi Olympics." I think the media would pounce on that.

[Admiral Yi]

Wait a minute: are you guys talking about the war Georgia started? 

[Jacob]

Wait a minute: are you guys talking about the war Georgia started? 

Don't worry. If Russian tanks roll into the Ukraine, it'll be Ukraine's fault too. No doubt about it.

[Admiral Yi]

I'm having trouble making sense of that.

[Jacob]

I'm having trouble making sense of that.

I'm saying that it transpires that Russia sends tanks into the Ukraine, Russia will claim that the Ukraine started it one way or the other.

[Admiral Yi]

I'm saying that it transpires that Russia sends tanks into the Ukraine, Russia will claim that the Ukraine started it one way or the other.

Thanks for the helpful paraphrase.  My issue was more what you were basing that conclusion on.

[Malthus]

Round 2 has begun!

Governing party's HQ ransacked, protesters getting into Parliament, beating up communist MPs, both side accusing the other of using firearms, and allegedly pro-government protesters joining the police, next escalation step toward civil war seems well under way.

How soon until the Russian Army arrives?

When is the closing ceremonies at the Olympics?

You sure about that?

The Russian invasion of Georgia took place during the 2008 Beijing Games...

That's different - obviously, it is not as big a story if a non-host does something awful, than if a host country does.

These games are Putin's shot at international respect, he won't mess them up for Ukraine - which will anyway keep until after the games.

[Admiral Yi]

I'm thinking partition might not be such a terrible solution.

[Tamas]

Maidan Square appears to be under siege by the police forces. It is said they stopped the underground trains this afternoon in preparation, Klichko knew something was coming and asked women and children at the square to go home.

Merkel and other leaders have been trying in vain to get a phone connection with the Ukrainian prez, so probably he is determined to end this thing now.

[alfred russel]

I'm thinking partition might not be such a terrible solution.

I wonder if Putin would want that.

[Liep]

This doesn't look good.

[Razgovory]

I doubt that they won't.  The Russians are already laying the groundwork for it.  The full-scale invasion of Ukraine is unlikely, but if Georgia example of dismemberment is anything to go by, there will be military involved.

In the Georgian case Russia got the right to station "peacekeepers" in Abkhazia as a quid pro quo for folding on Serbia.

Zero chance of Russian tanks rolling into Kiev.

What if they are invited?

[Maximus]

I doubt Ukraine lacks the military power to crush this if they went all out.

[Jacob]

I doubt Ukraine lacks the military power to crush this if they went all out.

The question may be whether the Ukrainian military would all out crush the protestors if ordered to. The Russian military would likely be more reliable in this situation.

[Maximus]

The question may be whether the Ukrainian military would all out crush the protestors if ordered to. The Russian military would likely be more reliable in this situation.

Yea, good point.