Peter Boston said:

“I don’t see a good outcome. Putin took personal control of the operation which places his prestige on the line…. From what I’ve read the Russian troops are feeling pretty good about themselves. It would not go well with them or with the Russian military leadership when (if) they are told they have to back down from the Americans and that they will not be dancing in the streets of Tiblisi…. There is still plenty of opportunity for miscalculation.”

This undertaking is dangerous but (in my opinion) President Bush is doing the right thing. The key is to encourage the Russians to leave Georgia with their honor intact, i.e. allow the Russians to “declare victory” and withdraw. The danger is that Putin won’t take the hint and escalates.