Russian Spies Intentionally Exposed

Last week, Georgia arrested four Russians on spying charges. Since then, Russia has:

• Suspended its troop pullout from Georgia.


• Put its military bases there on high alert.


• Evacuated 80 staff from its embassy in Tbilsi.


• Stopped issuing visas to all Georgians.


• Called on the UNSC to condem Georgia


• Cut all postal, air, rail, road, and sea links with Georgia.


• Said the arrest of alleged spies is “state terrorism and hostage taking”

While no countries reacts well to its spies being caught or to catching spies, Moscow’s list of reactions can only be described as overreaction. In fact, Georgia has condemned it as such. Yet, looking at the list again, could this be more than a coincidence. Maybe Russia isn’t wrong in saying they are indeed not overreacting. In fact, if they are telling the truth, they intentionally outed their spies to provoke this crisis and escalate tensions. As Georgia moves ever closer to NATO, Russian punishment as extreme as the aforementioned has to be meted out under some ostensible cover. And this is it. Readers?

UPDATE: Georgia has transferred the suspects to the OSCE. This was an expected move in line with Georgia’s continued efforts to internationalize its problems and Russia’s ongoing efforts to destabilize it.