Russian Hegemony Begets Georgian Discontents: Tbilisi's Search for Strategic Ballast

Abstract

This article explores Georgia-Russia relations through the lens of power asymmetry and Georgia’s efforts to engage in external balancing to mitigate relative weakness and maximize autonomy. While Georgian efforts to engage the Euro-Atlantic West is perhaps the most notable example of Georgian outreach to potential patrons, it is part of a more expansive campaign that includes other powers of differing regime types and perceived strategic aspirations. Although Georgian efforts to externally balance Russia have failed to win security guarantees or attenuate Russian power, it may have contributed to conditions that allow Georgia to enjoy unexpectedly high levels of autonomy.