The current election debacle in South Ossetia, the territory which, along with Abkazia, lay at the heart of Russia’s five-day war with Georgia in 2008, may well be a sign of things to come in this weekend’s election in Russia.  If anyone was interested in observing how the Kremlin, which protects the region’s sovereignty with a military presence and financial aid, can orchestrate an election, even from afar, the events of this week have proved exemplary.