Poti vs Batumi:
It mystifies me why most reports say the flotilloi are headed to Poti.

Is there a clear reason to think the non-US naval forces are headed to Georgia at all? Isn’t it more likely they are going to Constaza, Romania for pre-existing NATO execises?

Anyhoo, having a non-US NATO Aegis (Spain, Hola, amigos!), a Big Frigate (Bremen class, Germany) and a Littoral Warfare Frigate (FFG, Poland-go Sobieski) setting up shop in Constanza is really A Good Thing. One, I will have to EAT CROW and admit that NATO isn’t (totally) dead, yet (thank you, thank you). Two, it adds a strategic scale to forces shoring up Ukraine. (Please notice I did not say “The Ukraine”, though it really hurts not to.)

Watch for the Turks hosting overland communications from Batumi throughout the Lesser Causcasus. At that point I will repudiate all my whiney-assed hand-wringing and, uh, well maybe, sorta, start buying Belgian chocolate [balls]!