99% of South Ossetia voted for independence from Georgia in a recent referendum.  Mostly, they already see themselves as separate.  This is not exactly organized by Russia.  You can make an argument that it was provoked by Russia meddling about.  But you can't simply choose to ignore the fact that Saakashvili is on a very clear mission here.  This has the potential to be good for Russia, but it also has the potential to be bad for it too.  The Russian stock market has already plunged.  A fierce propaganda was has begun.  Which they certainly did not need.  I'm not sure getting themselves bogged down in another ethnic conflict in the Caucasus, esp/ so close to the site of the Sochi Olympics, is beneficial.  ...

Which makes me wonder what those who are now calling for respect for Georgian territorial integrity, despite the desires of the South Ossetians, thought of the war in Chechnia.  Is it a set of values which guides us, or do we simply decide what to condone and condemn based upon which side the Kremlin happens to be on?  

So, Russia renounces force, and the Georgian military does as well, and what's left?

Or Georgia could do what it did today and begin attacks less than 24 hours after agreeing to cease the use of force...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.