Russia is actually acting rationally.
They are exploiting the weakness of the U.S. because of the drain the Iraq War has taken, are seeking to control their borders and minimize U.S. influence there via 'missile shields' or natural gas or oil infrastructure located in former satellite states, and they baited Georgia by using an uprising in South Ossetia in textbook fashion, giving them a nearly ideal cacus belli.
They should be careful to wage their strategic campaign with 'moderate' tactics, however, lest they erode their own strategy.
They are exploiting the weakness of the U.S. because of the drain the Iraq War has taken, are seeking to control their borders and minimize U.S. influence there via 'missile shields' or natural gas or oil infrastructure located in former satellite states, and they baited Georgia by using an uprising in South Ossetia in textbook fashion, giving them a nearly ideal cacus belli.
They should be careful to wage their strategic campaign with 'moderate' tactics, however, lest they erode their own strategy.
