The Russians have moved well beyond the purview of the cease-fire agreement, which stipulated "about 1,500 Russian peacekeepers are allowed to remain inside, and can do patrols about 6 kilometers outside, the ‘zone of conflict,' a reference to South Ossetia and Abkhazia."  Since the cease-fire, and having setup check points, the Russian military has, in essence, become an occupying force and now patrol the Georgia port of Poti, which is not just beyond the "6 kilometers outside, the ‘zone of conflict,' in reference to Abkhazia," but one-hundred kilometers beyond Abkhazia, being in a totally different province.  Ironically, Abkhazia was not a party to the initial flashpoint, which the Russian government used as a pretext for invasion.   All the same, Russia continues to explore new and highly thought-provoking activities:Russian forces posted near Georgia's strategic Black Sea port of Poti may carry out searches of cargo ships, a top...(Read Full Post)