"U.S. Really Surprised by Georgia-Russia Conflict?"

http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/content.aspx?audioID=27675

This is a superb sort of "US-Russia relations in the last 8 years 101".  Probably you already know this stuff, but if you are sick of exlplaining why Russia's doing what it's doing to your friends and family and hordes of kossacks (ironic name, no?), here's a handly link for you!  

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