So its not an original thought then... bugger.
At least its a logical one...
At least I'm not coming out of left field then.. slightly reassuring!
Russias problem is its too paranoid by the west, rather than acknowledging the changing globe and realigning itself to defend the new therat to the east. Thats a historical paranoia, and one that has been built on several times - napoleon, anyone? Adolf?
Until Russia begins thinking more strategically than they are currently (weapons trad and alliance-building with India is a good start - India and China are two growing rivals), they're going to find themselves in more and more of a bind.
However. To look at it from Russia's perspective, they're feeling more and more hemmed in by the NATO alliance (whose expansion can only be considered anti-Russian in the post Cold War era) and by the Chinese in the east. Russia has never fought NATO except through proxy, however they have fought the Chinese. Perhaps, just perhaps, in their eyes the actino in georgia was to try and secure themselves a little buffer. Perhaps they thought it would warn NATO to stop advancing eastwards, or perhaps they somehow thought NATO would look differently on the situation.
Their pulling out of the Council might reflect an opinion of bugger you lot, we've had it trying to play nice, we're taking our toys and going home. I'm sure that if lil old me can see a threat from the East, and if Tom Clancy can see it, then someone up high in Russia can see it too.
I'll even go so far as to voice an opinion that
possibly Russia's ploy had been a completely miscalculated attempt to attract more western support. i wouldn't bet the house on it, but it might be a possibility..