I am puzzled about Georgia ... as I understand it the Georgian military invaded the provinces thinking that Russia would hold back. They didn't and continue to maintain military presence to safeguard them from the Georgian forces.

Next Russia recognises them as new independant states. That is funny as Russia has usually been the 'take-over' power .... yet the countries which support freedom and self determination .. generally speaking the West .... are refusing to to recognise these new countries,

All very puzzling.