The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Why the Russians Need Georgia and the Caucasus || Peter Zeihan
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Dec 11, 2024 Recent protests in Georgia highlight the nation's growing discontent over abandoning EU membership. The discussion unpacks Georgia's strategic importance to Russia, exploring how a local oligarch has shaped its political landscape. Geopolitical tensions with Turkey and Iran also come into play, reflecting shifting dynamics in the Caucasus. Additionally, Europe is reassessing its military strategies to counter Russian influence, indicating a move towards more independent defense efforts in the region.
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Russia's Focus on Georgia
- Russia is more concerned with Georgia's political evolution than other former Soviet states, besides Ukraine.
- This stems from Georgia's geography, ethnography, and Russia's political system.
Russia's Expansionist Strategy
- Russia's strategy involves expanding and conquering neighboring territories until reaching a defensible geographic barrier.
- Georgia's location in the Caucasus mountains makes it a frontier for Russia.
Indirect Rule
- After conquering a territory, Russia appoints a local leader with questionable loyalties.
- This allows Russia to focus on other matters while maintaining indirect control.