Two things have to simultaneously happen if the shootdown stories are true. Air superiority forces have to be deployed near but not in the theater. Second, a ceasefire has to be arranged. This will achieve two goals. To the Georgians it will send the signal that their nation will be preserved; but will allow the US to demand the pro quo: back off. Never mind the South Ossetians for now. To the Russians it will signal, we are not going to let the Georgians humiliate you further, but if things run out of control this crisis could go places that Russia can’t handle. That will allow the US to also ask the Russians to back off.

With any luck both sides will have made their point and be able to claim victory. Of course, all these reports of fighting may be overblown. In which case fine. But at any rate the question of the moment is, where are the F-22s? War may be their business, but peace is their profession.