Thanks for the credit Wretchard. I did guess that defense tactic after looking at topographical maps the day before. It is the obvious choke point.
The active male population of Tbilisi should be mobilized and the non-effectives evacuated to the mountains or Armenia. Infantry can defeat Russian armor. Armor is less effective in mountainous terrain. It is important for morale for the Georgian government not to be trapped and he will have to move to safe cover. Satellite phones may be his only way to communicate.
I had noticed and anticipated that the US trainers would stay to assist in command and communications, especially since the Russians are destroying the communication radio towers. I also heard but not confirmed that there are about a 1000 US forces, not the trainers, still in country from the exercise of last month. Please note that this exercise was done in the southern forests and encompassed training in evacuating civilian and wounded. That was a very effective exercise since that is what happened the very next week for these troops.
My guess is that there are about 50 Georgian tanks left and they are getting in defensive positions to guard the Tbilisi approach. However I am sure that with 18,000 troops at least 5000 are in the east for guerilla operations with some artillery and armor. US satellite phones will provide communications. I still do not know if they gave the 131 Humvees that the Georgian troops were using in Iraq. Those Humvees have communications that surpass the Russians and other electronic goodies.
If anything is going to happen watch the Turkish navy, they have access and Russians will think twice before involving them. They are full NATO and control the Straits
Apparently the Russians enraged Erdogan for refusing to take his calls when the invasion took place on the August 8th. It took four days for a lower echelon flunky to call back the Turkish government.
If we get air rights to fly from Turkey we can provide air cover for Georgia. The Russians are no match for American air force that has been fighting for 5 years in Iraq and Afghanistan.
