Marching Orders

The Russians have them:

At a military checkpoint between Georgia and its breakaway region of South Ossetia, the word “Russia” is hand-painted in pink on a concrete security barrier.

“It will be Russia,” said a Russian army lieutenant as the Ossetian soldiers under his command nodded.

“And Georgia used to be Russian, too,” said the young freckle-faced lieutenant, who would give only his first name, Sergei. Three armored personnel carriers and a tank were dug in around the checkpoint.

Russia has stationed its forces just 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the Georgian capital, in violation of the EU-brokered cease-fire that ended last year’s brief war. And in recent weeks, it has sent even more troops and armored vehicles to within striking distance of the city ahead of street protests against Georgia’s president.

We’ve already offered to turn our backs on our Czech and Polish friends, after they stood up for us on missile defense. Is there anything left in the cupboard to offer Vlad the Bad to keep his paws off Georgia?

Ummm… nope.