Thanks for the fine article Melissa. Looking back now from a few weeks perspective, I have some small comments to share. Firstly, the actions of both militaries--Russian and Georgian--were shameful in the fighting last month. Too many have been too quick to ignore the actions of the Georgian military in South Ossetia, focusing only on Russia's heavy-handed response. Human Rights Watch reported just recently that the Georgians have indeed admitted to using cluster munitions in the opening days of the conflict. This type of weaponry directly affects the well-being of civilians not only during the conflict, but for years after as many ordinances fail to detonate as planned. The tragedy awaiting many of those Ossetians (and Georgians) to return on day to the territory is shameful, and the responsibility should be placed on the government in Tbilisi. (Russia and the US has also refused to ban its use of cluster munitions, it should be noted as well. See http://www.clusterconvention.org and http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/09/01/georgi19722.htm)

Secondly, with Moscow formally recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, I would like to make a comment about the later: Since 1993, Abkhazia has sought to break from its isolation and join the international community. Ethnic-Abkhaz and others living there have experienced abhorred conditions as a result of economic blockades and continual treats of a return to war. Let us not forget those living there during the uncertain period of its status vis-a-vis the central government in Tbilisi which will certainly never relinquish its right to territorial integrity. Abkhaz deserve the opportunity to flourish as all citizens of the world do, and more attention should be put on their situation and desires for the future. I'd like to recommend a finely written article by Inal Khashig, http://www.opendemocracy.net/Russia/article/lesson-to-the-West-Abkhazian-independence-is-a-fact

Thank you.