Maybe I should just leave this blank as a subtle way of saying what’s really on the table. But if you got to thinking here are some options you could consider:
1) Airlift of Georgian troops from Iraq. (Oops, done that).
2) Provide satellite and electronic intelligence on Russian troops.
3) Provide shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles like Stingers or Strellas (desperately needed)
4) Provide ammunition resupply to Georgian forces.
5) Provide Naval support via shadowing Russian navy (including using submarines)
6) Dispatch Air Force fighters & A-10 tank killers
7) Provide advisors to counsel on war operations.
8 ) Move forward pre-positioned equipment into Black Sea
9) Provide Air Cover / No Fly Zone over Georgia
10) Put boots on the ground.
As you can see, none of those really look all that exciting, and the cost politically (both and home and abroad) along with the cost in lives and the cost in dollars would be great. US forces are stretched thin as they are now and resupplying basically a ‘third’ combat zone would tax our logistics capabilities to the breaking point.
So basically, the US has little to do militarily but sit and watch.
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