“In years to come, the short, sharp Russo-Georgian war may be remembered as the nadir of American post-Cold War power and influence — the moment in the closing months of George W. Bush’s hapless administration when all the damage that he has done to America’s position in the world came into focus. The United States encouraged Georgia into thinking it was under American protection, built up and trained its armed forces with a little help from the Israelis, established one of the biggest embassies in the region to make it a center of American influence in the Caucasus, and, despite private warnings, issued public statements of undying support. And now America’s client is wiping blood from its nose. The wreckage of Georgia’s towns and countryside, however, is not as complete as the ruin of Bush’s policies.” (08/19/08)