As Russian troops easily cruise deeper into Georgian territory, one really has to ask themselves, "What the **** was Saakashvili thinking?" In this battle between David and Goliath, Goliath holds all the rocks, cards and more. As Saakashvili begs for the Western help that certainly wont come in time, he has discovered too late that he has fallen into a classic trap.

 Georgia's invasion of South Ossetia, timed to take advantage of Putin's departure to the Beijing Olympics, was meant to be an opportunistic grab of disputed territories. The plan has backfired, in a big way. Georgia's move has presented Putin with a grand opportunity. In line with reestablishing Russia as a resurgent world power, Putin needs to demonstrate the ferocity of Russian muscle especially in the areas of the ex-Soviet Union. Russia's overwhelming response demonstrates the Kremlin's need to use Georgia as an example. The message is clear. The West needs to know it's boundaries, and must accord Russia its respect. This means that the ex-Soviet states are off limits to NATO.

The ramifications of Russia's incursion into Georgia will be felt far away from the battlefield. It will alter Russia's relationship with the West, and also Russia's relationship with the other ex-Soviet states. Ukraine's entrance to NATO and its embrace by the West will be slowed. Russia is drawing the lines around its sphere of influence and it is demonstrating that military force is an option towards that goal. Unfortunately for the Georgian people, they will suffer the consequences of their leader's foolishness, and Putin's statement of power.