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Culture War Roundup for the week of January 16, 2023

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Russian intervention in Ukraine was also linked to its successful intervention in Georgia in 2008, via at least two ways:

(1) The success of the annexation of Georgian territory bolstered Putin's confidence in such interventions.

(2) The breaking of the post-USSR acceptance of SSR borders by Russia gave a reason for Ukrainians to fear the annexation of Crimea and the Donbas. Of course, the Georgia-Russia war was also a reason for non-Pro Russia Ukrainians to fear an attack if they got into power.

(1) The success of the annexation of Georgian territory

Now that again, but slowly.

The success of the annexation of Georgian territory

Sure: The success of the annexation of Georgian territory (the country, not the US state).

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke from Georgia in 1990-1992 when Putin was insignificant.

Russian forces stay here but these regions are not incorporated into Russia, that's what annexation means, Abkhazia apparently would consider armed resistance if Russia tries to annex it.

Ok, if you prefer, the Russian recognition of South Ossetian independence and the successful ethnic cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia by a Russian client statelet, ending any hopes of it becoming reintegrated into Georgia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing_of_Georgians_in_South_Ossetia