It is good to hear from this author on this subject. Beeman is an anthropologist who has been prolific in writing for public audiences about complex cultural / political dimensions of current conflicts. So, he brings a well seasoned judgement to analysis of historical / political contexts to current geopolitical dramas--drawing out dimensions that are far too hidden in current US mainstream media. While I agree with other reviewers that he could have more effectively sourced this article, he has a good past track record of scholarship that makes me less worried about that [e.g., well regarded book T"he “Great Satan” vs. the “Mad Mullahs”: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other" ]. His argument re/ the role of US based flows of money to consolidate patronage networks--as a tool of influence--is extremely important & I hope that he continues to illucidate that in future pieces on Georgia.