I'm no expert but isn't it likely that this is as much a cold war tactic of proxy statism? The United States sits in the middle of Iraq and Afghanistan with first strike capability against every middle eastern well head. The Russians can look at that with a fairly malevolent eye. I don't believe for a minute that moving into Ossetia is about patriotism. With the Move into South Ossetia and the ability to now role right over Armenia and Azerbejizian (sp?) that puts the soviets into a stronger position to forestall US adventurism into Iran. It looks like simple barrier and balance diplomacy. The continuing assault only strengthens my supposition. I know go hide under my rock. I won't even mention that RBN used cyber war in this conflict EXACTLY like I said it could be used years ago.