AviK, in Europe we also had internal autonomy. The kehilla managed its own affairs and so long as the taxes were paid the government did not interfere. That is not sovereignty.
Re Resh Lokish, I had a quick look at the amud and couldn’t find anything like your claim. I see RL complaining that the Jews of Bovel didn’t come up with Ezra, but I don’t see anything about conquering any territory, let alone more of it. Because of course Ezra & Co didn’t conquer anything at all. They merely moved to EY to live there under foreign rule, just like yidden did under the Ottomans.