Should US and NATO defend Georgia with miliary force?

Question

I have thought alot the last few days and I keep getting more and more angry. I do not think I would have handled anything differently, however I am upset.

Russia opposed our war in Iraq, (in fairness they supported Afganistan.) Georgia, Ukraine and Poland and other Russian neighbors were very helpful in the Iraq. Good luck getting any of them to help us next time, after the Russian assault on Georgia. The Ukraine government feels they are next and wonder where was the help for our friend. They might have no choice but to cozy up to their big sister bear.

Backlash? Western Europe has not cared for the Russian government for the past five or so years. They lost nothing there. America wants a G7 club instead of a G8, excluding Russia. Russia can make their own club with Iran and Hugo Chavez. Hard to have an industrialized world without more oil and energy. Guess who has that?

I think we just lost some pretty good friends in Eastern Europe and Asia. Score infinite points for Putin and his successors.

We were on a good path to boxing in Moscow their aggression, they should be contained one way or another. The way to box in Russia is to ally with each of their physical neighbors, Moscow says not so fast.

Answer 1

I think the US, along with our allies in NATO, should keep our position strictly diplomatic as long as possible. However, if Russia does not respect Georgia's sovereignty, NATO may need to intercede. However, if we do get involved, we only get involved with NATO (not the US and NATO). If Russia continues this aggression (for example, invading the Ukraine), then NATO must step in. However, recent events have shown that Russia may be willing to reason. Russia claims that they have stopped advancing (Georgia says that they have not). If Russia has in fact stopped their advance, this may be solved without NATO needing to muster military force.

As for G8, I think it should be G7. Russia has shown that they cannot play nice with other nations, not even other members of G8! Russia has shown Cold War like aggression. They have flown bomber missions near US and UK airspace. They claim to have an ICBM that can defeat the missile defense system in Europe (a defense system set up to defend against middle-eastern and terrorist aggression). Of course, we all know they have claimed International Territory (the North Pole). They have also created this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOAB seemingly just to spite the US for the MOAB.

Answer 2

Are you serious?  That is not our fight.  That is a matter for Russia to handle, just like we invaded Iraq, they invaded Georgia.  Go back to sleep.