Let's take a step back and review the situation with Russia and Georgia. Georgia attacked the breakaway region of South Ossetia, Russia invaded Georgia to defend South Ossetia, and proceeded farther into Georgia proper, then retreated somewhat to an expanded security zone, still inside Georgia, and now has recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Over the weekend Russia claimed this as a rightful defense of a Russian sphere in influence. Let's play the devil's advocate and ask, why not? Can the U.S. and the West really object to Russian attempts to assert great power prerogatives after our own history in Iraq and Serbia? This editorial in today's Washington Post explains why the Russian invasion of Georgia and recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are very different from the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the NATO attack on Serbia. There are strong parallels, of course, but there are also stark differences that we would do well to keep in mind.
