The latest Russian move in the conflict is to bulk up its forces in South Ossetia. The New York Times reports that the US believes that Russia has moved SS-21 missile launchers into position north of Tskhinvali, from there the Georgian capital of Tbilisi is in range. The Russians appear to be attempting not only to pave the way for incorporating South Ossetia into Russia but to exacerbate the fears of some European countries about admitting Georgia into Nato.
To not let Georgia into Nato because of Russian aggression would send a disastrous signal to Moscow, encouraging Russia to believe that the West will back off in the face of Russian displays of force. The other thing that the West should be wary of is Russia requiring a demilitarized zone in Georgia that would effectively leave the country defenceless against any future Russian invasion.
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