Prime Minister Putin is now accusing the United States of helping Georgia. Moreover, Russia is spreading an Iranian rumor claiming that the United States actually instigated this war by pushing Georgia to invade South Ossetia. Russian remarks on the subject undermine any penalty the United States might accrue by actually sending military supplies to Georgia. It is as if Russia is daring the United States to supply Georgia with arms.

If Germany is generally perceived in Europe to be the party that gave Russia a green light to invade Georgia, this will either have the effect of moderating Germany’s Ostpolitik or causing internal polarization within Europe.

The diplomatic shock waves emanating from the Caucasus quite are interesting.