Mike S,

Understand your point, but not willing to concede it yet. You are, in fact, correct politically. But, tactically (see Wretchards previous post, 2nd paragraph), intolerable to the Georgians. A second “front” opened up with the goal of minimizing the importance of S. Ossetia and Abkhazia buys time while negotiations are underway. Any trouble in the second front is splashed on the world news and directed at the Russians.

Meanwhile, air cover is provided, troops from the UN are sent as observers, Russia is effectively side-lined while having to concentrate on a second front interdiction inside of Georgia proper. All under the scrutiny of the “neutral” world press.

Does Russia seriously want a 2nd Cold War? Not with a drive to reduce oil consumption and energy independence. That is their only lifeline to the civilized world. That and nuclear technology…

I have never been “green” in the political sense. But, the idea of breaking the stranglehold that OPEC and Russia have on the Civilized world MUST be addressed. Time and investment are what is needed to complete this. I want to write something about the glee of seeing the Sauds coming hat-in-hand to the UN for food, but children can’t pick their parents…