The problem with the story Mr Bremmer is trying to tell - the one about how the Soviets twist the truth to make themselves look good and US look bad - is the germ of truth in what they're saying.

Our recent behavior has left very little goodwill left abroad to create a context for any "lies."

Suzie Kidder, San Rafael, U.S.A.

The concept that a country of 4.4MM people (Georgia) could be built into a military powerhouse sufficient to tackle the Russia is not tenable. There is no sane basis for the U.S. pushing Georgia into a conflict with Russia. The timing is bad, and McCain doesn't need the war to beat Obama. Dan U.S.

Dan Smith, Lakewood, America

Mr.Bremner,
What was the actual purpose of your article? To show the histery in the Russian media? Well, you're doing just the same from the opposite side.

Dick Cheney is a person who stands behind Iraq, so I wouldn't be so panically defending his non-involvement in the Georgian project.

Andrei, Novosibirsk, Russia

What credible independent international news organizations are in S. Ossetia reporting actual events there. I remember all the talk of WMDs in Iraq that has led to the loss of more than 4000 US soldiers. It is therefore not far-fetched that this is no more than Election 2008's Oct. Surprise.

Peter, COLUMBIA, US

Secretary of State Rice is a Soviet expert. Perhaps she will be McCain's VP candidate. Perhaps if McCain becomes President he will help (thank) Georgia rebuild its military. I think America is smarter than that, though I do roam around fat people.

Bob Taylor, Atlanta, USA

Putin says they intervened to halt the ethnic cleansing and genocide of South Ossetians.

So the Russians brought in thousands of "irregular" soldiers and allowed them to rape, murder, pillage, and plunder.

The alleged human rights violations committed by Georgia pale in comparison to Russia's.

Bruce Anderholt, Portland, Oregon, USA

Q. The USA went to war over 2 toppled buildings, the Georgians flattened an entire city. So what exactly was wrong with the Russian response?

A. American territory was attacked on 9/11. Russia was not attacked by Georgia, and supported Ossetian separatists in violation of the peacekeeper's role.

Bruce Anderholt, Portland, Oregon, USA

If a guest in my house threatened to steal from me or kill my family, it would be reasonable for me to respond with force. How outrageous would it be if upon doing so, my neighbor breaks in to my house, ties me up, allows others to steal from my kitchen, then sets fire to my garage.

Brian, California, USA

It's a pity the Soviet Union imploded. It was the only brake on a rapacious US. The Soviets were right in seeing a CIA agent under every stone.

Dennis, Santa Cruz, USA

Mr.Saakashvily used weapon of mass destruction - rocket system "Grad" - against the civil population of Tshinvaly. He attacked this city traitorously in the night immediately after the agreement about negotiation which had to begun on August 9.

Andrey, Moscow, Russian Federation

It seems the western press has conveniently ignored the sneak attack by Georgia on a city, and thus ignored the guilt of who started the war.

The USA went to war over 2 toppled buildings, the Georgians flattened an entire city. So what exactly was wrong with the Russian response?

Rick Cain, Tulsa, OK, USA

Soul-less republicans??? how come not Neo-Cons like you Dimocrats love to say. Conspiracy Theories abound by those foolish enough to believe them Keep going oh dimocrat fool

Bill Clinton, Onaway, Mississippi

But.. no.. wait . what? Georgia did attack first with a military trained and armed by the USA, this isn't new news or anything. Russia doesn't want Georgia in NATO , nor do they want the USA having bases or a "missile shield" close to their own country.. Would you??

Eli, Eugene, USA

Russia only wants peace, piece.... a little piece of Georgia, a little piece of Ukraine, a little piece of Estonia, a little piece of Latvia, a little piece of Lithuania, a little piece of Moldova ......

Richard, Bexhill, UK

At least The Times is not as anti-Russian as the Telegraph. I enjoy your analysis very much,

Yaroslav, Los Angeles,

This looks dangerous. It seems the sleeping bear is awake, and the eagle is on its deathbed.

Undoubtedly the gullible will believe this, even in America. These words are more dangerous than they seem. And the implications in Russia may prove a catalyst for the continuation of the Cold War.

Steve, Virginia, USA

I'm scared to say anything, where's the plutonium.

chris B, Atlana, USA

as far as I'm concerned, it's in Britain's and Europe's hands; good luck, we have an election to hold and the first Black President to swear in; don't bother us now....

Hansje, Dayton, USA

It's amazing to me how quickly and easily Putin has been able to start turning things back into the direction of a communist goverment again. Was it ever RERALLY gone??? I feel for the people of Russia, Georgia, and all the others that will certainly be affected by this!

David, vancouver, USA

Sounds very much like the Democratic mouth piece.

Chachi McGraw, Moscow,

Georgia started the attack on the 1st day of the Olympic Games.
15 Russian peacekeepers and approx. 1900 Russian citizens were killed (how they got their citizenship does not matter, look at the newborn kids of the illegal immigrants in USA). And what did America do after 9-11 and all the losses?

Vic, washington, usa

It's true that western media is more dangerous than former USSR or Chinese. They use hidden PR and psychological technologies to integrate opinions. People no longer have their own thoughts. Media give ppl fears. Scared ppl are easier to manipulate and they usually trust their government .

Alex Meshkov, Beijing, China

I have to say the Russians have learned the art of propaganda from the American media well. I am sure the nightly news will ask pravda for its storyline.

Brian Jones, Everett, USA

Sounds like you're being ordered to put out a line, Charles. It's not like your normal suave stuff from Paris. The evidence you give is not that strong. And you don't mention the very powerful Cold War blasts coming out of Washington.

Alex, Paris, France

Prior to the invasion of Georgia by Russia, the polls for President of the United States have McCain and Obama in a dead heat. This is considered unusual because of Bush's low poll numbers, but don't forget, the US Congress, which has had a democrat majority since 2006, has polls twice as low a Bush

Jim Silberman, New York City, USA

I will vote for McCain over Obama. This isn't American Idol you are voting for, Chris. You have a junior senator with well-crafted speeches, delivered eloquently, yet standing on a foundation of sand. Five issues he loses - 1. Life 2. Marriage 3. Taxes 4. War 5. The Courts. Economy is the wild card.

Nate, Dallas, TX, USA

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Putin has always hated the US. He has been plotting against the US before Obama even annouced his candidacy.

This is idiocy to even think that those people who lost their lives in Georgia, did so to help McCain win.

Robert, Kansas City, USA

Wouldn't the world be a better place if the United States
provided its own oil and energy resources; used its farm land to feed its own people; kept its tax dollars to itself and stopped involving itself in the various crisis around the world. I think so.
Many Americans think so as well.

James, Chicago, USA

"""Thank god for the internet . It may be the last hope that the world has to escape from the propaganda that all nations use.

del, elkhorn, """

Hear! Hear! Three cheers for Bill Gates and all those guys whose work made the Internet possible and available. The best thing that happened in history.

Rajiv Ranjan Rawat, Moscow, Russia.

In the USA, the facts are available to look at. Only with a free press, unlike government controlled media in communist countries, we have the ability to look at all sides and evaluate. It's essential to protect this kind of freedom in the world or we lose the only tool we have to balance power.

Tina, Dayton, USA

This debate has inevitably become a discourse on modern Russia.
I have lived and worked in Russia for some years (recently moved back to UK) so I believe I’m reasonably qualified to see both sides of this debate.
(TBC)

Sasha, London,

I take on board many of the valid points that many of my Russian friends make (hypocrisy of the West, Western agendas which are not lily white, double standards etc. etc.).

Sasha, London,

Here in Russia we can compare local and foreign media content. The issue is that from the start the US and europe prefer not to see the bombing of Tckhinval and even more; US tryed to make this bombing finished. "No people makes no problem". This thing can't be forgiven and we'll remember this.

Alexey, Moscow, Russia

Maybe we should allow Russia to build a missle defence system here in Canada (in case we need some protection). Sick of the testosterone-driven US flexing its muscles and acting like the leader of a teenage clique with the European nations.

Jack, Ottawa, Canada

Our media is as biased as the Russian, Arabic or Israeli one. You can either support your country blindly, or use your own brain.
I am very happy to see that there are still Americans with enough intelligence to see through it all. Now if we can only get one into the White House...

Erwin, London, UK

Do any of you think that a sovereign nation has the right to defend itself from invaders? Does that make the US a conspirator in this fiasco? Not at all. We did Georgia a favor by giving them a means of defending themselves. What Georgia does with the arms given to them by the US is on them.

Dave, Washington, DC, USA

IDENTICAL to KOSOVO. John Bolton warned Bush's Kosovo policy of ripping kosovo from Serbia was totally wrong, illegal, would create a precedent and justification for others all over the world. HE WAS RIGHT! You can't do somehting Illegal and tell the world that only you can. We look foolish!

Peter, Midwest,

Maybe Dick Cheney has just been faking those heart attacks as a scheme to conceal the need to frequently service his Darth Vader implants. Maybe Putin only faked his years in the KGB *just* to plant himself as Cheney's eventual puppet.

Or maybe, the world doesn't really revolve around Obama.

Beez, Yorktown, US

Are you kidding me!??!? They just don't want to take responsibility for their actions because they knew they were disproportionate in their response to Georgia.

JDubs, Washington, DC, USA

When did the New York Times become the Russian paper of record??

Nepenthe, Washington,

Thank god for the internet . It may be the last hope that the world has to escape from the propaganda that all nations use.

del, elkhorn,

would americans have much opposition to the usa routing out russians who were trying to take over canada ?

when america feared and trusted God we were strong - now we trust the sword and fear everyone else - we will be cut down - thank the american PAGAN leaders and people for that

charles e thrift sr, jacksonville, florida, u s a

Many articles published on sites of western media (Times, BBC, CNN, AP) have the same old good smell, haven't they? Well, there are some unbiased atricles though. Can't say the same about russian media... ;(

Dmitry, St. Petersburg, Russia

I'm not bothered about russian state controlled media, they can say what they want.
But I thought and hoped the russian people knew better.
It seems nationalism beats rationalism any day...

Wil, Oslo, Norway

Putin is Americas puppet-
Yesterday he was Obama's puppet , today he is Cheney's puppet.
A puppet is a puppet-and Putin must be very proud.

Barbee, Dallas, USA

Censorship and propaganda are tools to control people. It takes a powerful country like the USA to allow and protect freedom of speech to its people. This is why I am so disturbed that the Fairness Doctrine is even being discussed by Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats. Have we learned nothing?

Sarah, Marietta Georgia, USA

Why does it seem as if half these comments are written by Russians trying to portray themselves as members from western countries? Seems like the good old espionage, deceit and lies that we've come to expect from Russia. That, or a very clever double bluff.

Earl, Washington, DC,

I am disgusted be the comments I have read following this story. these hate America first groups will never win; they salivate with joy for this country's downfall and relish in their own self hatred. If only I could afford airfare to send them all packing to Russia, Iran, Cuba,etc.... ah to dream..

Michelle Marshall, Long Beach, United States

In the old soviet days, the USSR could back up its words. Nowadays, the best Russia can manage is to bully it's weaker neighbours. If it came to a straight out, conventional fight between Russia and the USA we all know who would win. The Russian bear roars, but it is toothless and rather sad.

J Roberts, Manchester, UK

Saakashvili-Jackalshvili came to power through US sponsored coup. Georgia is the poorest nation in the Caucasus ("most successful state in the former Soviet Union") and a dictatorship ("vibrant democracy"). Georgian military is 100% financed and armed by the US. Georgia attacked first. Any theories?

Roob, St. Petersburg, Russia

There is no free independent press, neither in Russia, nor in the West. Just the propaganda machine. The informational war is still ongoing. One thing is clear: the future of the press and TV is pessimistic, because one must find truth somewhere else.

Leo, Moscow,

"Russia can't seem to help itself when it comes to invading its neighbors."

America has directly invaded Canada, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua, and all lands belonging to many Native American tribes.

Calling the kettle black, are we?

Patrick, Phoenix, USA

I had no idea that our press is in such control before and I did not believe to those conspiracy movies like Farenheit 911 before too. Now I have the idea and believe some of those facts presented in those conspiracy movies. I am totally shocked and feel very uncomfortable living here any more.

Dennis Tuvia, Berlin, Germany

What is the credibility of BBC or CNN ? Western media always support western views. It represents Russia as a villain and US as a hero. It's unacceptable. The Russian side story should be given equal importance Because of its global reach, western media could be questioned in future for its attitude

Tim, Charlton, UK

It is kind of pathetic that the words of the leftists in the United States match the words of the old Soviet line updated to the 21st century. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Calvin, Lenexa, USA

The USA would not like Russia in our neighborhood with missiles in Canada and Mexico. Can we really blame them when they don't like missiles on their borders? Why does America have to be all over the globe confronting and provoking others incessantly?

Phillip, Beverly Hills, USA

It is scary that I have yet to see any opposition to Russia's moves by Russians themselves. Compare to the 40% or so of Americans who voiced extreme displeasure with Bush and Iraq...

Kinda scary...

Michael, Lafayette, IN, USA

eric -

The republicans don't need to do this to "retain" power. The American people already disprove of the job the Congress is doing. Tides will change sooner rather than later.

Sam, New York, NY

Yes, the US supported Georgia and Ukraine, Poland, the Baltics...and why? Because Russia cant seem to help itself when it comes to invading its neighbors.

America invades dangerous dictatorships and leaves peaceful democracies. Russia invades peaceful democracies and turns them into colonies.

WH, Wisconsin, USA

What is happening in Georgia is the equivalent of "La Raza" proclaiming part of Los Angels is an independent country and having Mexico come in and "defend" their Mexican citizens by invading Southern California. All this other nonsense about Obama, McCain and Bush is a bunch of hog wash.

Shinea, San Jose , USA

The Republican Party which is now a minority in both houses somehow created this war.

???

Really?

Alex, Portland, OR, USA

First ask, where georgia, poor country bought so many arms? georgia's buget for arms increased 31 times during past 3 years. They bought modern equipment from Ukraine and Israel. They had about 150 people from US training their troops. That's where your money were directed to, amercian taxpayers.

lena , biysk, russia

The very sad thing is that most americans believe such articles based on lies of Ssakashvili and unapproved facts.
ps. if you want, you may still beware of communists, KGB etc.
pps. you may even still believe in bears walking across red qsuare, it's allright for you

Eugene, Moscow, Russia

The Great Liberator Putin struggles to defend against the evil Bush regime.
The sad truth is many Americans believe it!

Craig, walpole, USA

If this was not such a serious situation, I would say this is quite a funny (and sad) ploy on the USSR (oops excuse me) Russia's part. Talk about a reach back!

Steve, Austin, USA

As usual the US is on the wrong side. Georgia is the birthplace of Stalin where he is considered a hero. The Georgia Mafia terrorized the hell out of Moscow after the Soviet demise. They just pushed Russia too far.

Tim, Southampton, usa

Wow! I could swear I heard the radical left Democrats blaming Dick Cheney!!!

Raymond Henrie, Beech Bluff, United States

Charles Bremner makes a lot of outstanding accusations against the integrity of Moscow. Mr. Bremner also attempts to paint the US as the hero and Russia as the evil empire. Sounds a lot like old US propaganda from the Cold War era, no? Pot, meet Kettle, its black.

John, Princeton,

That's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard!

Chris, farmers branch, U.S.

Well, all this may or may not be true, but you did hit a nail on the head: There is a vast American propaganda machine, and the people do believe it. There is no free press (in the sense of an objective, fact-finding mechanism) in America: the mainstream media (so-called MSM) follows the party line.

Dayahka, Aberdeen, USA

You're kidding right? This is a ridiculous ploy by the Russians to wreak havoc in America so we stay out of their path of destruction. What a joke.

Sam, New York, NY

this is the first thing the russians have said that actually sounds plausible.

tremont, pensacola, FL, united states

Amazing. President Reagan ended the Cold War without a shot being fired. Bush has reopened it. What Georgia did to South Ossetia, Serbia did to Kosovo. America defended Kosovo just like Russia defends South Ossetia. The issues are almost identical. We need to stay home, let Europe handle this.

Ray L. Walker, Franklin, Tennessee, USA

More ex-KGB Putin smokescreen and nonsense but very clever. Putin real goal is controlling Georgia's pipeline & more oil resources. Russia and Iran have a huge incentive for $150 a barrel oil. Obama & a Democrat Congress will make sure the US does no additional offshore drilling. Vlad gets richer.

Franc, West Palm Beach, USA/FL

If all this keep Obama from getting elected, then I'm all for it.

Scott, Paris, TN, USA

Make as much sense as anything I've read in the US press.

William Bruner, Cuba, Missouri, USA

Too many versions of the "Invasion" Let the dust settle.
If the Georgians did attack first, and killed innocents, We would have spent 12 months with "Congress" deciding whether we should react, regardless of what any President wanted to do.
We need to step back for a moment. Have a little faith.

Djeff, Delaware Water Gap, Pa., U.S.A.

Who is idiotic enough to believe this? Anybody who buys this has obviously lost their mind and can be lead to believe anything. What is wrong with the world today? Todays world leaders/countries are willing to do anything (including sacrificing lives) to promote their agenda or prolong their reign.

Steve, Dayton, Ohio, USA

They might be right. The rest of the planet needs to take care of itself. The American people want to reap some of the benefits of ending the Cold War, and our government's support of Georgia and the new missile defense deal with Poland today . . . may push Obama over the top.

Holman, Dallas, Texas USA

I see Dr. Markov has learned a lot from the NYT about making the most absurb statements in hopes that at least some morans around the world will actually believe them. After all it's worked for the NYT. Oops, in light of their loss of subscribers, advertisers and employees, maybe not. Keep it up.

Robert Stoick, Marlette,

This conspiracy theory is gaining credence in the west, also. The soul-less Republicans in America will stop at nothing to retain their power.

eric, washington, dc, usa

This is horse hockey and will have no effect on our elections.

If I were Bush, I'd pull the troops from Iraq and send them to Georgia, NOW.

lihansen, Palm Coast, FL, USA

So, you are saying US did not have a hand in it? US did not spend a lot of money via NED.org to elect Saahaschili? US did not help to grow Georgian army? Did it not create a situation where Saahashvili believed he can take S.Ossetia by force?

Though I do agree that election was prob not a factor

Ivan, Redmond, WA

No one will vote for McCain. He didn't even really win the primary.

There could be 1000 wars and it still wouldn't help McCain. Polls lie to influence voters. Please believe that.

Obama will win easy. It's not even close.

Chris, Yokush, USA