Four militants have been killed in two separate gun battles in Russia's volatile North Caucasus while bombs went off in both the capital of a third region and under a gas pipeline, Russian news agencies reported.
Violence has surged in the South Russian regions with the latest violence in three of the most volatile, Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, raising questions about the Kremlin's ability to keep control of the mainly Muslim area.
I expect incidents like this to be the source of the excuse for Russia to launch round two against Georgia.
UPDATE: We've let the Russians know we aren't happy they haven't pulled their troops out of occupied territory and that neutral observers haven't been allowed in:
Russia is not complying with the cease-fire that ended last year's war with Georgia, a U.S. defense official said Tuesday, adding that Washington wants international observers in Russian-controlled territories.
The statement by U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Alexander Vershbow underlined one of the touchiest disputes overshadowing the U.S. and Russian leadership's desire for improved relations.
We need a sense of urgency to provide Georgia with anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to hold territory against a second Russian offensive.
