The Bear still down in Georgia

Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Azkaban (umm Abkhazia) in the wake of the Georgia War. Russia asked everyone to join hands and sing kum-by-ahh. The West was not amused. Russia was playing the part of Rome, claiming the regions requested to secede. While the best that U.S. Secretary of State State Condoleezza Rice could muster was that the Russian move was d.o.a. in the Security Council, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stood up and declared that Russia's move was against international law. And all the while, Russia troops are still in Georgia despite the terms of the ceasefire agreement. In the end, it seems the bear will remain Georgia's cross to bear.