DanM:
“By what reasoning do you automatically cede part of Georgia? Does this not encourage Russia to make a few relatively small military strikes to gain political advantage elsewhere?”
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Most of the people in that part of Georgia want either 1) independence from Georgia or 2) a continuing Russian military protection force.

If Georgia can reconcile with the Ossetians by seriously striving to help satisfy the Ossetians’ cultural fears and aspirations, then I’m all for it.

If Georgia prefers to spend the 21st century fighting for South Ossetia, a place populated overwhelmingly by hostile non-Georgians, then Georgia will have to deal with the consequences of that preference without expecting significant help from the USA or Europe.

In a perfect world, Georgia’s northern border would be the Caucasus Mountains, but there is a pocket of Ossetians who spoil that perfection. The Russians have the same problem on their side of the Caucasus Mountains.