Very good post....a realistic assessment with strength. I disagree with the observation though that “Georgia stepped into it.”.. I base my opinion on the recent observations and understanding on CSPAN’s panel discussion (posted on Cspan’s video collection) with Ralph Peters, the Commander of the US Training of Georgia’s army, etc. these historians and political and military experts said that was not the correct perspective to take.
I think it is unfair to allow russia to go into Georgia (Ossetia ) and set up a ‘pre launch’ set up. The two were in contstant offense and defense postures and military “skirmishes” until one time, the russians just arbitraily chose the time and went in.
Other than that perspective I have appreciated your post.
It is just so frustrating that we've come to a world where there seems to be no such thing as truth. Each side tells its version of events, always wildly divergent, and there's no longer anyone to say who's version is correct, or more nearly so. So very frustrating, like with everything ending up in court these days. Nothing is ever final.
My solution would be, as I outlined in an earlier post, to tell Russia they have X number of hours to get their troops and their equipment out of Georgia. Period. Any Russian resource that is still in Georgia and not in motion toward the border will be considered a hostile target and US aircraft will handle the situation. It would cause all sorts of worldwide condemnation and an unbelievable amount of consternation right here are home, but I bet it wouldn't take but a couple of the attacks to send the message.
My prayers are with the people of Georgia. If America does nothing else with its might and power we should make it abundantly clear that we stand with any people who want a democratic way of life. Georgia has gone the extra mile to show its support of us, and we should do the same for them. In fact, I think I might even open a general store somewhere over there near the region and offer fire sale prices on all sorts of offensive and defensive weapons of war. Openly advertise to all those former Soviet countries that we are offering to help them build up their armed forces to avoid developing a positive Georgia sign. And I would certainly set about making life as uncomfortable for Russia as possible. There's got to be 50 ways we can mess with them without having to resort to military means. At some point we are simply going to have to take a more proactive stance in dealing with people like them and Iran.