Imperial Russia arises from the ashes of the Soviet Union.

The NY Times is reporting Russian troops are advancing on the central Georgian city of Gori and the Russian Navy has moved into position to effectively blockade Georgia. Russian air strikes continue to pound Georgia. So much for the Russian pretense of defending South Ossetia citizenry.

The Globe and Mail is reporting 2,000 Georgian troops currently stationed in Iraq are being air lifted to Georgia. If I was Russia, I would be extremely curious to who and what maybe returning with the Georgian troops. But even more significant, is the fact the Russian Ambassador alluded to Russia’s goal of ‘regime change’ and I quote,

The UN Security Council met for the fourth time in four days, with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad accusing Moscow of seeking “regime change” in Georgia and resisting attempts to make peace. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Russians don't use the expression, but acknowledged there were occasions when elected leaders “become an obstacle.”

The Ukraine has recognized the innate threat to its own sovereignty has warned Russia - it has the right to bar Russian ships returning homeward from Ukrainian ports.

Czechoslovakia 1938, Poland 1939, Baltics and Romania 1940, Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968…and so the question becomes does the West allow Georgia to be added to the list in 2008? And if today, Georgia, then tomorrow the Ukraine, and the day after the Ukraine, the Baltic states.