CODE: RU108
   PUBLICATION: yes
   ATTRIBUTION: Stratfor sources in the Moscow
   SOURCE DESCRIPTION: senior at one of Putin's think-tanks
   SOURCES LEVEL: high
   ITEM CREDIBILITY: 3
   DISTRIBUTION: Analysts
   SOURCE HANDLER: Lauren
    
   This is not Vershbow's only move. He will be tossing himself back and
   forth for the next few months between Georgia and Ukraine. He will be in
   Georgia October 19-20 and then in Ukraine in early November and Georgia in
   late November and then back again to both in December.
    
   In Georgia, Vershbow will be coordinating an expansion of US training of
   Georgian troops. It will most likely not just be defensive anymore.
    
   In Ukraine, yes, there was the BMD announcement that Kiev did not even
   know about. But the bigger concern is that under certain Western nudging,
   Ukraine will resume weapon transfers to Georgia.
    
   Vershbow's primary focus will now be on Georgia and Ukraine, but we all
   know that there is an expiration date on the Ukraine part of this
   equation.
   --
   Lauren Goodrich
   Director of Analysis
   Senior Eurasia Analyst
   STRATFOR
   T: 512.744.4311
   F: 512.744.4334
   lauren.goodrich@stratfor.com
   www.stratfor.com