If the Russians had used their “peacekeeping” force solely to protect South Ossetians’ “self-determination” (citing the precedent of Western actions in Kosovo), they would have done little damage to their soft power, and the benefits could have exceeded the costs. By bombing, blockading, and occupying many parts of Georgia, delaying its withdrawal, parading blindfolded Georgian soldiers, and failing to protect Georgian citizens, Russia lost its claims to legitimacy and sowed fear and mistrust in much of the world.