[Mariner]

"If he doubles down and decides he wants more of Georgia, that’s a much bigger risk, isn’t it"?

The western penalty for taking all of Georgia and taking only a little of Gerogia is EXACTLY the same.

Trade/financial/political...and the first two will be MINOR. What is western europe going to do? Stop buying Russian oil and gas?

Russia has nothing to lose by pressing the offensive and capturing all of Georgia...and Azerbaijan...and Armenia.

I can't think of anything more the west will do, right or wrong.

[eastforker]

Exactly, Putin has nothing to lose in their advance, unless, we do somethig quick and in large propotions.

[Lijahsbubbe]

The western penalty for taking all of Georgia and taking only a little of Gerogia is EXACTLY the same.

Why did it take me a whole paragraph to say what you said in one sentence? Aaargh.

[redstateconfidential]

The western penalty for taking all of Georgia and taking only a little of Gerogia is EXACTLY the same.”

loathsome but probably correct.