Public Self-Flagellation As The Last Resort

In Russian such situations are referred to as "Sergeant's widow whipped herself".

Nowhere else but in Lybia Condoleezza Rice threatened that the USA will punish Russia's Georgian blitzkrieg by putting the US-Russia nuke deal on hold. What it means in real terms: US does not get access to Russian advanced nuclear technology and Russia won't accept used American uranium for processing and sorting. No doubt many Russians will be crying themselves to sleep tonight.

The aftermath of the recent Russian campaign in South Ossetia revealed that the West has no leverage left to influence Russia in any meaningful way but resorting to pointless media caterwauling.