Why Georgia?

Two words: gas lines.
Russia has been waiting for the right moment to annex Georgia to eventually gain control of the country's gas lines.

There have also been reports of ethnic cleansing as reported by the Washington Times below.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/15/georgia-claims-ethnic-cleansing/

Russia is now in a perfect position to give the U.S. a big "up yours".

Who would have thought that an overlooked nation such as Georgia would be so key in souring relations between the U.S. and Russia? Sounds a lot like another tiny country with very rich natural resources....Kuwait.