Will Russia invade Eastern Europe in the future?

If this conflict between Georgia and Russia spreads and no one stops Russia, what is to prevent them from reclaiming thier former territories?

NATO, I'm sure is your answer, but is NATO prepared to do what is necessary to stop the coming Russian invasion?

no

I doubt the conflict will spread; the world won't let it. Even taking back the whole of Georgia will have massive repercussions. And in addition to the Georgians not liking it, it will become a breeding ground for terrorists, who seem to flock to conflict zones. And while the UN will be powerless to stop it, because of the Russian veto; Europe and China, not to mention the US could well stop it.

Historically speaking, a wide-spread invasion of Eastern Europe would not happen. Even the Soviets were smart enough not to invade Western Europe, knowing full well that the Allied strategy would have involved tactical nukes- since at the time the Russians had massive amounts of Tanks, so many that even with the attack helicopters the US developed, they were going to be hard-pressed to stop them w/o Nukes.

So the question isn't is NATO willing to defends its lands; its if Russia wants to destroy civilization with a Nuclear war. So if Russia decides to take back former Soviet states, they had better ask themselves- do they feel lucky? Do they, punk?

Russia hasn't made any move to take back parts that were hers for centuries - Kazakstan, Ukraine, Finland - so it's very doubtful she would go into Eastern Europe.

(She probably got to the point that the British Empire reached in the early 20th century, deciding that it was more profitable for Britain to let most of her empire go.)

Military experts have already decided this, which is why NATO troops have been reduced in Europe.

It's possible. Not anytime soon though. Russia is still pissed that they didn't make the former Soviet Union a Federal Republic when they had the chance. Cause that way those countries that broke off would have been states instead of seperate countries. There's no doubt about it, Russia still wants to control what happens in those countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union. If the rest of the world becomes weaker or Russia becomes stronger, then yeah, as soon as they have the opportunity they will take those countries back.