This morning I read with alarm that the Russian Parliament had voted unanimously on a resolution urging Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to recognize the autonomy of the the regions of Georgia that recently broke away and were the cause of fighting and what amounted to a Russian invasion of Georgian territory.  To me this is a very ominous sign that I believe will lead to eventual Russian annexation of these two provinces.  This is merely the first step in Vladimir Putin's grand vision of reestablishing a Soviet-style state, but this time, with a market economy based on the natural resources that abound in Russia, especially Siberian oil.  It was a common theme from the ideological wing of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union that eventually the capitalists would sell the rope they would be hanged with.  In some regards, this image has some merit, as much as Germany and other Western state want to condemn Russian aggression, the reality is, the Russians can and have shown a willingness to shut off the oil supply to those who do not agree with their foreign policy goals.  What politician want to have to chose between having their own people cold during the winter and having fuel for their vehicles or the freedom of a few Georgians who don't have a vote to keep them in office?  Merkel of Germany, if she even really pushes the issue will cave to a threat of Russian shutting off the pipelines. 

        

 

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