It actually goes even deeper than that. Georgia pushed for "fast track" membership in NATO and got shut down, hard. The U.S. wanted it, but most of the other

It actually goes even deeper than that. Georgia pushed for "fast track" membership in NATO and got shut down, hard. The U.S. wanted it, but most of the other members were so set against it that the U.S. backed off and Georgia didn't get it. When NATO denied Georgia membership, they might as well have sent a letter to the Kremlin with the following text: "Dear Vladimir and Dmitri, We are absolutely unwilling to risk war in defense of Georgia. Sincerely, NATO." The great irony is that, by taking steps intended to stave off a Russian invasion, the Georgians instead opened the door for one. If they had instead played a slower and more cautious game, they might have maintained sufficient ambiguity and doubt to keep the Russians out. Maybe. Or not. I'm also playing Monday morning quarterback here, so I can't really blame them for trying.