Reporters were not allowed to approach the zone, and phone lines were cut.

NPR: Tensions Rise Between Russia and Georgia

The political risk to the euro zone's austerity-first policy approach has been all the greater because there is little hard evidence yet to demonstrate it works.

WSJ: It Pays to Be Flexible in Euro-Crisis Fight

Yet with Slovakia hoping to win an invitation to EMU in April-May this year, the take-it-or-leave-it approach to the euro-zone membership in east-central Europe may give way to a much greater sense of urgency.

ECONOMIST: Budget turnaround | The