Even today, the Georgians are mainly equipped for counter-insurgency. In the 6 years after the conflict, they have spent their money mostly on domestic defense boondoggles (building their own APC) instead of acquiring gently-used fighter aircraft (either American or ex-Warsaw Pact). In that time, they could have acquired dozens of these aircraft. While the biggest threat to Georgia's sovereignty is Russia, a close runner-up is the corruption of its political elites. Russia can afford to be as corrupt as Georgia because it has more extractable resources from the ground than the US, Brazil and Saudi Arabia combined. Georgia just has a bunch of mountains.
While the biggest threat to Georgia's sovereignty is Russia, a close runner-up is the corruption of its political elites.
Very true, and sounds familiar to Ukraine.
Russia can afford to be as corrupt as Georgia because it has more extractable resources from the ground than the US, Brazil and Saudi Arabia combined.
Again, true, and likely the best way to motivate Russia in the right direction is for the West to produce much more oil and gas and compete with Russia rather than threaten more cronyism.