Putin doesn’t have an empire to rule if he goes nuclear. He’s not suicidal - like Iran.
The real lowdown on the Georgia situation.....
If the US does not act now, and yes militarily in some form (at least supporting Georgia with weapons)....Russia will go after another former satellite. If they get away with Georgia...someone else will be next
The Liberal-Globalist diplomacy track isnt going to cut it. The Russians know diplomacy is code for inaction.
It will get ugly if Russia is allowed to win in Georgia...and then decides to go after a Baltic state later. Then, there will be no choice but to send in US military forces