Russian Troubles.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Georgia poses problems for the west.

The Georgiian president, Saakashvili, is an ally in a region where Russia is increasingly flexing its muscles, and he is the elected leader of a free country.

Set against this is the fact that the people of South Ossetia have voted in favour of independence, although we don't know how freely that referendum was conducted.

The idea of western military intervention is frightening, but it is difficult to see any other way to prevent the Georgians being completely overwhelmed. It is imperative that the utmost diplomatic pressure be brought to bear, but I fear that yet again the United Nations will prove to be utterly ineffective.