A U.S. television series’ portrayal of Caucasus geopolitics has strong hints of Azerbaijani influence.

Former Soviet states are coming together to mourn the death of Gia Kancheli, who personified a positive memory from their shared past.

After the Russian foreign ministry threw them under the bus, Georgian officials were forced to change their story about who initiated a landmark meeting between the two sides.

Both sides, and Georgia’s western partners, hailed the talks as a promising first step. But they were received with skepticism among some in Tbilisi.

The uncharacteristic restraint appears to be related to the unhappy memories the victim brought up both to the current government and the opposition.

The Georgian capital has become a stage set for a Hollywood action flick; some joke that the name of the film franchise is just driving as usual in the city.

Local families rushed to move belongings out of their farmsteads, as masked Russian soldiers began fencing off their property from the rest of Georgia.

The owner of Rustavi2, who just wrested back control of the station, now says he wants to sell it. Government critics see an elaborate plot to gag an opposition-friendly outlet.

The unprecedentedly hardline rhetoric comes amid fitful efforts by Armenia and Azerbaijan to peacefully resolve their conflict over Karabakh.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are staying out of the exercises.