Putin is and has been our nemisis (while everyone in the world looked the other way). Once a former KGB, always KGB !!!

Georgia does have a pipeline of oil that goes through it. Putin wants to extend Russia's iron first as it used to be in 1991. Democracy in any form will not be tolerated, even though Georgia is a separate entity and has a democracy. They are located in a strategic spot that Putin wants for a number of reasons in order to roll out his agenda and strategy for domination. My guess long term is to roll all the way to Turkey. He will join forces (and not just supplying weapons) with Iran, Syria, etc. to attack Israel.

l2 - Israel HAS indeed discovered huge oil reserves. However, it would take a vertical drilling to get it out. Don't think for a minute they aren't trying to devise a way to do that.

The cold war is back on -- unfortunately, we don't have any Ronald Reagan's in the wings to be bold and do the right thing.

I think since Georgia helped in Iraq and has been trying hard at democracy and applied for membership in NATO, they deserve to be helped by NATO troops, not just the US. But, this is a political season here in US, so no guts, no glory, no help for those poor people who are getting bombed out of existence. Pray for them.