Larvatus Prodeo

If (like me), you know bugger-all about why Georgia and Russia have suddenly started a war, this piece in the NYT (hat tip Kevin Drum) provides some useful background. In short, it appears there’s a combination of old-style Cold Warriors in the Kremlin trying to re-establish dominance (if not outright political union) over key parts of the old Soviet Union, two provinces with distinct and complex histories who like their de facto autonomy under Russian protection, and a nationalist leadership in Tbilsi that wants to bring what they regard as “renegade provinces” back into the Georgian fold.

Lots more original reporting and commentary at a Fistful of Euros, which indicates that this may have been a massive miscalculation by the Georgians and particiularly their President (as distinct from all those other rational wars…).

If anybody else has seen (or has written) useful reporting or commentary, please add them in comments.

UPDATE: From comments, an interesting diary from Daily Kos, and an ABC RN “Rear Window” podcast. Also, a news update from the BBC.

Update: [by Mark] A very informative post at Obsidian Wings. And another interesting take at The Global Sociology Blog.