I grew up watching this man come to power. I was a little girl in the country of Georgia when Vladimir Putin became president of Russia. I remember his first days in office quiet, controlled and strangely shy. The country was broken after the Soviet collapse: looted, humiliated, and carved up by oligarchs while the West applauded and called it “democracy.” What happened next didn’t match the story we were told. Putin moved to stabilize Russia, introduced market reforms, paid off IMF debt, opened the country to investment, and tried openly to integrate Russia into the Western world. he asked for NATO membership, proposed world peace. After 9/11, he cooperated with the U.S. He spoke about Russia as part of Europe.This was not a man trying to revive the Soviet Union. It was a leader trying to rebuild a shattered state. The real war wasn’t with the CIA or MI6 even though they were incredibly destructive, The war was domestic. Western-backed oligarchs had stolen Russia’s wealth, manipulated politics, and turned brother nations against each other for profit and control. From Abkhazia to Beslan chaos seemed impossible. Like most kids, I was taught a simple lie: the West is good, Russia is bad. As if a country can be good or bad. Children don’t question history, they absorb it. I hated Putin without ever listening to him. I watch him but never wanted to hear a word he was saying. Then I grew up. Through my career, colleague, education I saw a different picture. Russia recovered. Living standards rose. The state reclaimed control over strategic resources. Russia was a superpower again. People in Russia loved him. Only a few ungrateful, squeaky voices mostly those who had lost lots of money, hated him. And again and again, I saw the same thing: he said what he would do, and then he did it. I started paying attention. And once you do, there’s no going back. I can’t tell you how many times legendary journalists people I once saw as my heroes have warned me: never criticize Israel, and never say anything positive about Putin if you want a career in this business. Two rules. Break them, and you’re done. Those are weak men! But I come from Georgia a tiny country that survived thousands of invasions and refused to disappear. Ottoman Empire, Persian Empires you name it, they fought everyone. Keep in mind Georgia is only 3 million. Persia invaded Georgia over and over, imposed rulers threatened their Christianity, and tried hard to erase Georgian independence. they were unsuccessful! It's no coincidence this tiny country dominates UFC today. What Georgians know really well is how to fight and how to defend what they believe in. The United States played a major role in shaping who I am, a country born by breaking an empire and betting everything on freedom. I carry both countries within me. Where you come from matters. The country you belong to matters. History matters. Your ancestors matter. They shape who you are and the pride of the nation you carry. It matters that you are not a F*** Somali and you are from the United States of America! So no, I’m not afraid of hollow intelligence agencies, media enforcers, or pathetic losers driven by money, I'm not afraid of Evil, it never lasts. I will say what needs to be said.There is no higher cause than freedom. Watch this episode next week. It’s going to be great! Link in the comments.