Georgia Roundup

Russia continues to put the screws to Georgia as part of its greater fear of a third wave of NATO expansion. Feeling left out of regional security, Moscow continues to stir up trouble proving it is the key to peace in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. However, to others, it’s only proving what was already known, Russia is the problem not the solution.

At the Council on Foreign Relations, a good interview is up with former ambasssador Stephen Sestanovich. With revolutions in Georgia and then the Ukraine, Russia has become exceedingly paranoid and its behavior reflects just this. Why does Moscow have an axe to grind with Tbilsi? According to former president Shevardnadze, Georgia is “the tastiest morsel of the former Soviet Union and the Russians want it back. ” I can believe it.

John Robb thinks the Russians are playing with fire by continuing to pick fights with Georgia. As he says David is in a much better position than Goliath on this.

Jamestown things that Putin is after regime change in Tbilsi and that he just might get it.

Most recently, Russia is supposedly tightening immigration rules, secret code for kicking out Georgians. But citizens aren’t the only targets, businesses are too. In addition, the recent sea, road, air and postal blockade will continue until further notice.

Blogrel thinks the spy-scandal will eclipse the current local elections in Georgia and notes that one ethnic Armenian town has gotten shafted in terms of representation.

Nathan has some wisdom from back in August still relevant regarding Russia’s foreign policy goals vis-a-vis Georgia and that Russia’s answer to change is to sow instability.