The (Ex) Washington Realist

Last night, a group of "ordinary" (e.g. nonspecialists) people, who follow the news and seemed like informed citizens, were discussing the Russo-Georgian conflict. After nearly a month of coverage and many breathless op-eds about the subject, the group was still leery about the U.S. inserting itself into what many around the table saw as a regional conflict that did not directly affect key U.S. interests. No one was approving of Russia's actions or methods--but there wasn't much support in that group for the U.S. to have do be doing anything.

One very unscientific poll, to be sure ... but I suspect this reflects the attitudes of most Americans.