Georgia

Not much worthwhile commentary out there from what I can see. Two notable exceptions are here and here. A commenter on the latter's site mocks the initial, predictable narrative: "The Brave Plucky Georgians Cruelly Crushed by the Russian Bear." While there are signs the conflict may move closer to that storyline if it continues, the Johnny one-notes won't deserve any credit for their insight.

Regarding Johnny one-notes, does McCain really want to make this a "3 a.m. phone call" issue? This sort of event emphasizes the need for flexibility, coolheadedness, and restraint. I didn't think anything could make me grateful for our current leadership at this point, but it seems pretty even-keeled compared to McCain's predictable act (to be fair, the president apparently had other things on his mind). Are we to expect that McCain, if he wins, would get less dogmatic as he approaches his eightieth birthday? In Washington there's a fine line between doctrinaire and dangerous, and it's solely a function of job title.

By the way, could there be a more appropriate coda to Condi Rice's tenure? Where would we be right now if she wasn't a renowned expert on the region?