Georgians in Moscow Face Violence

Government withdraws earlier claims of Moscow-backed coup

(NEWSER) - The Georgian government claims to have crushed an army mutiny at a base near the capital Tbilisi, but it backed away from earlier claims that Russia was backing a coup aimed at ousting or assassinating President Mikheil Saakashvili. The plot organizer has been arrested and several others remain at large. But after a day of hurling accusations, writes the Times of London, Georgia is getting hit with criticism from all sides. More»

Tbilisi says Russia-backed revolt was set to topple government

(NEWSER) - A revolt has broken out at an army base near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, which the government is calling a Russian-backed military coup, the Guardian reports. The Georgian defense minister says the soldiers were being confined in their barracks, and at least one person has been arrested. The Georgians say that the plot was timed to disrupt NATO military exercises in Georgia, which begin tomorrow. More»

(AP) - A US Navy warship carrying humanitarian aid anchored at the Georgian port of Batumi today, sending a strong signal of support to an embattled ally as Russian forces built up around two separatist regions. But a top Russian general suggested that the presence of US and other NATO ships in the Black Sea would worsen tensions already at a post-Cold War low. More»

Moscow seeks 'new world order,' warns Georgian president

(NEWSER) - As Russia maintains a troop presence in several Georgian cities, Mikheil Saakashvili writes in the Washington Post, "We cannot allow Georgia to become the first victim of a new world order as imagined by Moscow." The Georgian president says the international community must recognize that Russia intends to crush democracy and liberty, and must come to his country's aid with "a modern version of the Berlin Airlift." More»

Youth movement an avatar of Putin propaganda

(NEWSER) - In a Soviet Era throwback, a new Russian youth group is said to be providing more than fun and games in its summer camp, the Weekly Standard reports. Nashi, Russian for “Ours,” is said to be an elite indoctrination program; while Russian officials liken it to the Boy Scouts, Nashi also inspires comparisons to Hitler’s Jugend youth movement. More»