Something I don't understand about the Georgia\Russia Conflict
This all started when the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, ordered an attack on the Russian territory of South Ossetia. South Ossetia was once part of Georgia but declared independence in the early 90’s. When Georgia first moved into South Ossetia, the Russian diplomat warned Georgia that they will defend the new country if a conflict breaks out. Saakashvili offered a ceasefire but then let conflict break out anyhow. So that’s the background.
Now the Russians are pummeling the Georgians, our military is flying the Georgians back home to defend their country, and all the world seems to be crying foul on the Russians for attacking this “beacon of democracy” in middle east.
Did I miss something? What the fuck is going on here? Georgia unilaterally attacked another country and Russia defended it. Granted, South Ossetia is acting as a de facto country and is not internationally recognized, but still. Georgia attacked! Even NPR’s Daniel Shore seemed to sympathize with Georgia, and that dude’s always spot-on. So what am I missing?
Comments
I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that South Ossetia is not a “Russian territory”. It is a specific ethnic region within Georgia that wants independence, and is fighting for it. The “unilateral attack” by Georgia was simply an effort to reclaim its territory from a bunch of dudes who decided they didn’t want to be Georgian anymore (rightfully or not).
I’m really not sure where Russia comes in. The “leader” of South Ossetia has stated his desire to unite with North Ossetia (which is in Russia) because he believes Russia is better able to provide long-term stability than Georgia. It seems to me like Russia just decided to take advantage of this. I have no idea why Russia cares about the region, but they definitely aren’t responding to an attack against them.
South Ossetia is not ‘another country’. It is a disputed territory occupied by many who are loyal to Russia. Georgia moved in with the justification that they were merely reclaiming what is theirs. Russia accuses Georgia of genocide and ethnic cleansing.
I’m not labeling anyone as the good guy or bad guy here. Although it is a fact that Georgia has a democratically elected government that is attempting to join NATO. Russia obviously wants to maintain an influence over former Soviet states and keep western powers out. It would appear that their response is a bit heavy handed here as Russian troops are now marching towards the Georgian capital. It’s almost as if two neighbors were arguing over a property line and now the bigger neighbor is taking over the other’s house and burning it down.
As far as I knew, when the fighting originally broke out russia claimed a gunfight had started between georgian soldiers and several Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia. Russia deemed that as an attack and moved into Georgia the next day.
Steve said:As far as I knew, when the fighting originally broke out russia claimed a gunfight had started between georgian soldiers and several Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia. Russia deemed that as an attack and moved into Georgia the next day.
This is true, but it begs to question why the Russian “peacekeepers” were there in the first place. I really have no idea who the bad guys are right now, because I’ve read all sorts of conflicting reports, but the one thing that is clear to me throughout all of this is that post-Commie Russia is sick and tired of getting shit on and they’re going to be very active from here on out trying to re-establish themselves as a world power.
Interesting article about the situation in Ossetia here:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-caucasus/south_ossetia_4100.jsp
One more thing: As much as I’d love to believe that Mikheil Saakashvili and Vladimir Putin care deeply about the people of South Ossetia, there is a major pipeline there that pumps oil to the Mediterranean.
Wow, adsense is now showing an ad for Russian Brides.
Jay – yeah, there’s definitely something deeper here of course. It seems like neither side is totally innocent. I’d also heard about the oil pipeline nick mentioned.
But yeah, Putin seems to be looking for any opportunity he can to flex his muscles. There’s been a resurgence of military parades and demonstrations in russia recently, which has disturbed me over the last year.
I posted this on another board and my friend ‘Nante replied with a pretty good summary that makes me very afraid for Gosia’s family in Poland:
-South Ossetia was part of Georgia under international ruling, but Georgia had pulled all their police and soldiers out of the country. The only authorities in the region were former rebel forces.
- Russia had granted Russian passports to all South Ossetians without international permission thereby making all S.O.s Russian citizens without officially annexing the territory.
-Rebels were supposedly launching rockets/shells across the border into Georgia proper, and rebels were also the local authorities. Georgia sends in troops to stop the rockets.
-Russia sends troops to defeat the Georgian troops, supposedly to defend their citizens but in the process claiming the territory from Georgia.
-Russia pushes the attack while negotiating for peace, both sides making wild claims as a smokescreen.
-Russia badly damages Georgian infrastructure and seizes a Georgian city, breaking the just signed peace agreement.
-All the other former Soviet States know that the rest of the world can not protect them from Russian aggression. Russia hopes this will guarantee pro-Russian candidates victory in those countries elections, bringing them back under Russian control.
I don’t think this will be all peachy for Russia. While there are Russian sympathizers in Ossetia, I’m sure there are also Georgian ones. More importantly, these Ossetians want independance, and Russia isn’t exactly one to give it to them. And they’re in an area rife with seperatism; Chechnya is the next province over.
Besides, Poland has Ukraine separating it.
Russia’s strategy has already started backfiring to a degree. The Ukraine, which leased several military bases to Russia until the year 2017, is now using this conflict to try and break the lease.
-All the other former Soviet States know that the rest of the world can not protect them from Russian aggression. Russia hopes this will guarantee pro-Russian candidates victory in those countries elections, bringing them back under Russian control.
thats how i understand it at the moment. russia wants to be a contender again.
It’s really gonna kick off now because Georgia beat Russia in the women’s olympic volleyball. There’s your pithy comment.
Just wait till the South Ossatians take on the Abkhazians in Olympic — wait, wait, neither of those places are actually countries!
What about Azkaban now? Sirius huh?
John said:What about Azkaban now? Sirius huh?
Nerd.
Russia to world: Suck it