Because of Afghanistan, the situation in Georgia takes on added significance. As a diplomatic option, the United States needs a trans-Caucasus air corridor between Romania and Afghanistan. Without at least the theoretical option of that air corridor, the United States becomes more dependent upon either Russia or Pakistan for resupply.

Russia is unhappy with the situation in Kosovo, so the Caucasus is the perfect place to put pressure on American supply lines. This is Putin’s way of telling the Americans that we will need to play ball with him if we seek to resupply our forces in Afghanistan. And given that Pakistan appears to have made a strategic decision to support the Taliban and al-Qaeda against the United States, this adds more cards into Putin’s hands.