On American news it seems that 2 different wars are taking place depending on who's speaking: Republicans see Russia as the big bad guy, some on the other side are accusing Georgia of genocide. Very extreme and very black and white stands.

Now, I'm trying to catch up a little bit by watching and reading the news in Western-Europe: no strong positions overall, a lot of nuance, basically boiling down to: they've been baiting each other for months and both have done things that aren't right.

another thing: European news isn't really mentioning "genocide", they only reported Putin has claimed this, but since there doesn't seem to be proof for this, they only reported Putin's accusation without making it into a fact as some do in the US.

1000 people died in the Georgian attack on Tskhinvali, I guess this is what some are calling a genocide, if this is the case, isn't Israël also guilty of genocide during the 2006 Lebanon War, 1000 Lebanese were killed by Israël, 90% civilians, mostly women and kids. What I want to say with this is: don't use this term too easily or use it as a political prop or as another "smoking gun" to start who knows what.

Both sides have been doing things they shouldn't have, both are guilty on different instances, Russia shouldn't have been bolstering and aiding the seperatists, Georgia shouldn't have used military force. The funny thing is that the Georgian President when he was first elected was praised for basically ignoring these break away provinces, where a lot of fighting had been taking place before his election and hence calming things down.

A beautiful example of how complex these situations are is this interview with a local 50yo Georgian from the city Gori who just got bombed by the Russians (European news in addition to officials, reporters and experts also interviews local people, the reason why Europeans sympathise with Palestinians, because they've heard their stories):
"We are defenceless civilians, without weapons. What they (Russians) are doing is disgusting. They kill us, but aren't we too Sovjet citizens."
For some although they are for an independent Georgia, they still feel on some other levels a kinship with the Russians, as part of the Soviet world. (btw Georgia is still part of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) the follow up to the USSR, although they said today they will leave it)

now to John McCain who only prooved that his arrogance rivals Bush's: "Russian President Medveded and Prime Minister Putin must understand the severe long term negative consequences that their governments actions will have for Russia's relationship with the United States and Europe"
there we go again: speaking for other countries, one of the things that has been annoying foreigners the last 8 years, when Bush speaks in name of the Europe or "The West", it seems McCain will continue this policy.
Also, what does he mean with Europe? Does he mean all 50 countries? EU? maybe European NATO countries? ... Some of these countries are allied with Russia, you think they share McCain's opinion?

the word: simplicity