When Russia responded to the attack by Georgia on South Ossetia, they could very easily have gone much further (all the way to the Georgian capital Tbilisi). Saakashvili would have course have departed before the arrival of the Russian forces, and probably be seen chewing his tie on the long flight back to America.

However, Russia showed tremendous restraint by halting their advance when they did (of their own accord), but many felt they should have gone further. This clearly shows that Russia´s response was controlled and designed to send a message to Georgia (and those that support this country): "We could have done more, but chose not to, this time"

The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been trying very hard to get Russia to withdraw its troops not just from Georgia, but from Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well. Is he crazy?

Maybe Sarkozy has forgotten that Saakashvili told Russia that he would not attack South Ossetia just hours before he did. Is Russia supposed to trust someone like that?

Dmitry Medvedev has announced withdrawal dates (from other parts of Georgia) on certain conditions. Whilst the US is promoting this as some victory for the West and a "concession" by Russia, they would be wise to read the small print on this deal. Russia will remove their troops from Georgia 10 days after the EU deploys a peace keeping force there and the EU will be responsible for any violations.

The problem with bullies (US, Israel and NATO) is that once you show that you are not afraid of them and fight back (as Russia is doing at the moment), they very quickly lose their courage and try to get others to help fight their fights. Unfortunately, they are fast running out of "friends" and will have to accept that fact, sooner or later.

Russia will remove their troops from Georgia 10 days after the EU deploys a peace keeping force there and the EU will be responsible for any violations.

Nope, Ukraine is one of said number who have experienced Russian unreliability mysteriously linked to political climate wink

So Russia will step in, stop Georgia from committing "genocide", but will continue to allow S. Ossetians to murder Georgian civilians....

Elena, how you justify Russia's actions is beyond me. I mean really, it's like justifying the US excursion into Iraq. IE, there really is none.