The brief war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008 seemed to many like an unexpected shot out of the blue. Former Assistant Deputy Secretary of State Ronald Asmus contends that it was a conflict that was prepared and planned for some time by Moscow, part of a broader strategy to send a message to the United States.

Includes maps of: Georgia, Showing the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia.

The decision -- From cold to hot war in the Caucasus -- The Kosovo precedent -- Diplomatic shootout in Bucharest -- Diplomacy fails -- The battle -- Ceasefire -- Georgia, Russia, and the future of the West.