If Russia seeks to blockade Georgia’s ports, this would be a serious escalation that raises the stakes for both sides.

There are obvious perils in humiliating Russia. Yet, if Russia goes for Georgia’s jugular, Georgia would have no incentive to go light on Russia. Moreover, if Russia seeks in any manner to use this present crisis to diplomatically humiliate the United States, there ought to be consequences.

The level of international material support for Georgia is likely to correspond to the extent Prime Minister Putin escalates the conflict. The more he escalates this war, the more material support should be sent to Georgia.

I am a bit worried about Ukraine’s stance on this issue. Despite (western) Ukraine’s strong desire for independence from Russia, it cannot afford to be anything other than neutral in this dispute. If Ukraine sides too openly with Georgia, it runs the risk of splitting in two, with Russia taking over its eastern half. I wonder if Russia’s pretext for invading Georgia is aimed at the Ukraine.