To Russia scholars like Michael McFaul of Stanford University, the use of such overwhelming force was a deliberate signal to Georgia, to other onetime Soviet republics and to the United States.
"This is a signal to everyone that Russia is back -- and Russia is going to try and dominate this region of the world," McFaul said. In addition, the use of force in Georgia, which has applied for NATO membership, sends a signal to Ukraine, which is also considering NATO membership, and the West, he said.
McFaul said the invasion was reminiscent of the invasion of Hungary in 1956, when Russian tanks rolled in to repress a rebellion against Soviet domination. As in 1956, he said, the 2008 invasion of Georgia was designed in part to send a message to the U.S.
"They are calling our bluff," he said. "They are saying to us, 'You say you want this country as an ally. Here's what we can do to this country.' . . . They are saying, 'We are the boss here.' "
The bold Russian action has created a quandary for the West: A military solution is considered out of the question, because Georgia is not part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and because the conflict could quickly escalate and the U.S. military is already stretched thin. In any case, Saakashvili has said he does not want military intervention.
"The challenge now for the administration and European leaders is to think of a creative way to make the Russians pay for these activities," McFaul said.
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tom.hamburger@latimes.com
erika.hayasaki@latimes.com
Hamburger reported from Washington and Hayasaki from New York. Times staff writer Peter Spiegel in Washington contributed to this report.
