Length: 2:23
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Michael speaks with Campbell Brown about the message Russia is sending to America and to countries in the region of Georgia -- especially former territories of the Soviet Union -- that have allied with America.
CAMPBELL
BROWN: Now we want to turn to the crisis in Georgia,
where the president says one-third of his country is
occupied by the Russians tonight. There are some
fast-moving developments.
CNN's Michael Ware was with some of the Russian
troops earlier today and joins us from Georgia's
capital, Tbilisi.
Michael, I know you've been to the front lines. Tell
us what you're seeing.
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Campbell, what
I'm seeing essentially is the Russian army sitting
pretty exploiting a current American vulnerability,
while the U.S. military is overstretched with its
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now, what's happened here in the small state of
Georgia is that the Georgian government, a
pro-American regime, launched an offensive against
pro-Russian rebels, most likely with the knowledge of
the U.S. military. In response, Russia
counter-attacked with a move that was almost likely
-- just as likely prepared in advance.
The Russian offensive was mounted on two fronts. Now,
the Russians seized two pro-Russian enclaves. But
they weren't happy with that. They then pushed into
Georgia itself. Now, the U.S. military can't make a
move here and Russia's exploiting that, Campbell.
BROWN: Michael, there is a message here for the U.S.
Russia's being very clear about it.
WARE: Well, what Russia is doing is trying to send a
message not just to this very pro-American regime in
Georgia, but to other states here in the region, many
of them former elements of the Soviet Union.
We've seen the expansion of NATO. We've seen America
supporting more and more of these states and that has
troubled Russia. Russia has bided its time and this
is the moment it's believed is best to strike. When
America is overstretched. They waited for the
provocation from the Georgian military, so-called, in
response to pro- Russian rebels and they struck
decisively.
So, as Secretary Rice is due to arrive tomorrow at
some time, that's the situation that confronts her. A
Russia that believes it's got all the cards in its
favor and is going to be very hard to deal with --
Campbell.
BROWN: Michael Ware for us tonight. Michael, thanks.
WARE: Thank you.