Guest, lox:

I agree that there is some entrenchment going on, but I think there were prepared positions, prepared by Russia well before the apparent onset of hostilities. The Ossetians have 'irregular' forces which have been raiding Georgian homes, persons and property after the retreat of the Georgian military. These had been regularly used as provocateurs.

Those monitoring the techno-war launched against Georgian command and control indicate that it started weeks before the military moves.

Meanwhile, it looks as if the United States is becoming entrenched in a position of finger wagging and pooh-poohing. It is difficult to see what the US is getting out of this, except to further move along a clearly confrontational path re: the useless missiles to Poland move, which clearly distresses the Russians, and which offers no profit.

The only profit I see at the moment goes to the McCain campaign which can posture without danger yet gain foreign policy cred.