William Kristol writes that the United States cannot turn away from a pro-Democratic government and nation. This is consistent with Irving Kristol's description of neo-conservative foreign policy:

Barring extraordinary events, the United States will always feel obliged to defend, if possible, a democratic nation under attack from nondemocratic forces, external or internal.

It appears that John McCain has adopted the same policy, with the twist that Christian nations must be defended - supposedly from authoritarian atheist hordes? - in order to save 'the friend' from 'the enemy'. In this manner McCain's foreign policy is neo-conservative and a continuation of Bush's foreign policy. However as Gregory Djerejain writes:

Look, all of this would have been stupid and deeply flawed policy, but at least morally defensible, if we meant to actually defend the Georgians. But we don't, and never will, as this would mean a war with Russia.

Consequently any solution to this war will be diplomatic and not involve military force. Currently this conflict will continue for as long as the Russians say it will. The United States is in a politically weak position and Putin knows it. (reply)
Former diplomat Gregory Djerejian argues that Georgia would be wiser to adopt realpolitick foreign policy, "Saakashvili, an apparently quite idealistic 40 year-old former NY lawyer, seems to have erred too much in thinking that giddy summitry with Western big-wigs might pay dividends but unfortunately, insufficiently appreciated the disastrous waning in U.S. power these past years, despite his constant hankering for NATO membership, and thus has fallen short with regard to better appreciating a variable which would have been more apropos, namely, a harsh dose of realpolitik." This means recognizing Russian power on Georgia's northern border and conducting policy within that limitation. (more)
Perry Anderson has a long survey of Russia's recent political history and future form, touching on some interesting factual and theoretical ground. (more)

Stephen Cohen has an article titled; The New Cold War . Cohen argues that the main threat to American security remains Russia and that the American policy approach to Russia since the Cold War is exacerbating that threat. (more)

The re-election of Lukashenko in Belarus came with suspected wide-spread fraud stemming from a long early voting period. Russia has continued its devolution into executive autocracy by introducing similar measures. (more)

It appears that the Russian demand for Ukraine to pay the market price of gas has destabilised the relatively new government - as was probably intended. (more)
Cam Riley: South Sea Republic. Freedom, liberty, equity and an Australian Republic.