first. I will say that the Georgian President played his cards badly.

But YOU must also realize that at the very foundation, the two provinces are on Georgian soil. Russia had no soverign business being there.

But Russia HAS been playing a couple of games with Georgia.

It wants Georgia as a compliant satellite, not a Western ally, and Georgia was making overtures to join NATO. Russia was not about to let that happen.

Russia wants to control the oil and gas pipeline routes and Georgia is an alternative to the routes through Russia.

The populace of the two provinces contain a large number of ethnic Slavs, giving Russia an excuse to "protect" them.

Then again, Georgia helped things along by treating these people badly.

Russia is not innocent and not the sorely provoked rescuer here. They are playing games here, seeking to weaken, intimidate and isolate Georgia.

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Did I err?