Is it possible that Putin is simply following President Bush's example? Yes it is. If there's a threat -- attack. And once you've started, don't leave. Ever.
In a modern, post-Cold War sense, the Bush Doctrine established a precedent and Putin is merely following suit here. So why aren't there any fingers of blame being aimed squarely in the president's monkeyish face? Same goes for Senator McBush.
This is another reason why, no matter how it ends, Iraq will never be a victory. Between the decades of blowback and the awful precedent it set, this blunder will go on and on. Especially if McBush scares enough people into voting for him.