This time it’s a US protectorate against the South Ossetians. Just as Georgians had the right to be free of Russia, so the South Ossetians have the right to be free of Georgia. See Mark Almond for one interesting perspective what’s really happening. (Thanks to Daniel McAdams.)

Back when the USSR was collapsing, the US made a deal: if Gorbachev would not use violence to prevent secession, the US would not extend its military empire into former Soviet territory. American Indians could have told the Russians about the value of US promises.