Russia?s invasion of Georgia over the weekend is a direct threat to the national security of Europe and by extension the United States. Regardless of who fired the first shot, it is clearly evident that Russia?s ultimate goal is not merely recovering South Ossetia but also bringing down the pro-western government of Mikhail Sakaashvili. If Russia is successful, then it will seek to install a pro-Russian puppet government in Georgia.

The foregoing would be of little consequence save for the fact that Georgia is the only available alternate route for oil and gas supplies from the Caspian Sea to Europe other than routing such supplies through Russia. Since Russia has previously shown that it is not above shutting off energy supplies to governments that displease Russia, it is unacceptable to leave Europe entirely dependent upon Russia?s goodwill to not choke off energy supplies whenever it is politically convenient for Russia to do so.

In addition, Georgia has been a faithful ally of the United States whereby 2,000 Georgian troops recently served alongside American troops in Iraq. It should not surprise anyone that the leaders of former Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Bloc nations are waiting to see if NATO will defend Georgia. Allowing Sakaashvili?s pro-western government to fall with barely a feeble protest from NATO will create a terrible precedent whereby Russia will think it can begin toppling democratic governments in former Soviet Socialist Republics and Eastern Bloc nations with impunity.

Accordingly, the United States and members of NATO must be prepared to go to war with Russia. For several years, Vladimir Putin and Russia has been behaving like an ill tempered bully. Unfortunately, the only way to stop a bully is to beat a bully by his own rules. Therefore, it is imperative that the United States and NATO begin rushing military aid, including personnel, to Georgia before it is too late.

Something else to take into consideration. My review of news reports on Russia’s invasion of Georgia iindicates that Putin’s name is being mentioned more often than Medvedev’s name. The foregoing could be the result of sloppy reporting, or it could mean that Putin is displacing Medvedev from his proper role. Given human nature, Medvedev cannot be too happy with Putin crowding him out like this.

Also, since I am an active investor and pay attention to financial reports on a daily basis, I recall reading a few days ago how Putin single handedly caused share prices of Russian coal companies to drop by 60% in a single day be mumbling threats like he did toward Gazprom before Russia essentially nationalized it. Investors, both Russian (and Medvedev) and non-Russian, were extremely displeased with Putin and I cannot help but wonder if this is Putin’s way of trying to regain favor with the Russian people — at least those that were sore at him a few days ago.

I meant to convey that Georgia sent 2,000 troops to serve in Iraq at our request and the least we can do is defend a loyal ally.