I think the Russians pretty much HAVE to capture the Georgian Capital and simply annex Georgia. There is no half-measures, among them Putin would be too vulnerable among rivals arguing he “lost” a historic opportunity to make examples and start reconquering the Soviet Empire.

Russians have advantages in manpower, wealth, as mentioned levers with Iran and elsewhere to keep allies out of helping Georgia.

I think by the end of it, Georgia will be reconquered, through sheer brutality and resource advantage, the Russian way. And explicit examples made of Georgians to intimidate the Ukraine, Baltic republics, Poland, Eastern Europe, Germany, Italy, France, and the UK.

Europe is so disarmed that whoever can capture it first — Russia or Islam, will have a great prize. Liberals and such bet that the “end of history” is afoot, violent wars of conquest at an end. Such obviously is not the case.