Let's say Mexico barged into the United States and recognized the sovereignity (Mexico and, as in Ossetia and that other one, Nicaragua) of California and New Mexico. They station troops there and support "rebel factions." We'd be quick to say that Mexico is not recognizing the United States' sovereignity.
Russia did just that. They barged into Georgia, supported two states within the Georgian nation, and supported its rebels.
The only solution that remains for the international community (and it is only two countries that recognize Osetia and Abkhazia - Russia and Nicaragua) is to help Georgia defend itself against a greater bully: Russian-backed rebels who used a full-scale force.
Russia provoked. Georgia defended. NATO wants to make sure it doesn't happen again. That's all I read from the article. Palin is saying that, because of the United States' commitment to NATO, we'd have the duty to defend Georgia - if it was a NATO country.
I don't see anything new from this article - just a lot of tough-talkin', cool-posin', and flashing of gang symbols.