They do just that.
I’d imagine Georgians are doing exactly the same thing and it is not at all surprising.
Remember how Turks were so ambitious about sending large scale of expeditionary forces to Korea during Korean war?
South Koreans in the Vietnam War?
The war in Iraq is a lot more better deal for both Ulaambaatar and Tbilisi than those wars.

When I flew to Ulaanbaatar’s Buyant Uhaa Airport(Now Chinghis Khan Airport)from Narita in 2004,I saw a gigantic U.S C-141 Starlifter at the runway.
The U.S even picks up these Mongolian boys and their equipments to the Afghanistan and Iraq.

Incredible and more than a little mind-blowing. It seems that it’s weirdness comes more from its seeming obviousness, while being simultaneously shocking to the core.

I rather like the idea that the ‘youth bulge’ can be blamed for radical Islam – it’s plausible and way nicer than thinking that people on the other side of the world can really hate America and Capitalist Christianity that much.

I would argue, quite eager. A military profession in China still commands a high level of prestige and respect among peers, family and most importantly, the government. Keep in mind that the PLA adheres to a form that cannot be compared to western militaries (or other miitaries for that matter), a form that has some visualizing it akin to a company. There are immense benefits to be gained from a military career in China, both financially and expressed in terms of guanxi (relations). If not that, then it remains one of the only remaining ‘iron rice bowl’ occupations left in the P.R.C.

Even in the enlisted ranks,where pay remains poor, such a job can prove to be a stable position. Isn’t that the most important aspect? Stability? In regards to a demographic shift, military employment possibly provide a saftey valve for the exact problems that are inherent with a large, young, mobile male population.

My two cents.

There is something about the barebones minimalism of the argument, which seems so obvious and brutal.

It provoked a lively offline discussion. I am terribly busy lately, but I hope to blog about it.

I rather have someone deploy less troops that are willing to fight like Canada or Australia than someone deploying large numbers of troops that do nothing.

It will be interesting to see if the Georgian troops are willing to vigorously intercept arms smuggling and put their troops at risk or if they will hide on base and be more concerned about force protection.

The Canadian military is considered “hollow” and “overstretched,” but one more reason why it cannot commit more to military missions overseas is public opinion. This is related to the debate over expeditionary forces. I wonder how the Georgians feel about their military operating overseas? Does their opinion even matter?

I doubt that Canada is getting such a deal but rest assured all of the third world coalition members are. For them all they have to do is provide boots and the U.S. pays for the rest. In addition to the political perks from Uncle Sam, it is essentially free maintenance of their armed forces at very little political cost.