Their economy was in tatters. Proud soldiers of the once mighty Russian Army were forced to beg in the streets because the emerging democratic State could not pay them. But the sleeping giant has awakened. Mother Russia, thought to be in a permanently weakened state following 
the fall of the Soviet Empire, has risen dangerously from the ashes of communism, its military having regained much of its cold war potency.
But what of South Ossetia? Discussion turns away from whether or not the breakaway republic might have a moral right to secede from the Georgian State. Indeed, under Soviet rule, South Ossetia enjoyed a great deal of autonomy. Having suffered at the hands of Czarist Russia, is it any better that the Caucasus should now be at the mercy of Georgia? And what of the West's role in the unfolding epic in the East?
After the US's unjustifiable invasion of Iraq - with Tony Blair's blessing - the West has neither the moral high-ground, nor the military resources to keep the re-emerging Russian State in check. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but as with the US invasion of Iraq, might becomes the criterion for what is right. Sadly, having exhausted both diplomatic and military capital in trade for Iraqi oil, the US and its allies have painted themselves into a corner. Beyond public denouncements, the West has little choice but to abandon its Eastern friends to their fate, leaving them to the mercy of a reinvigorated and increasingly belligerent Russia.
the fall of the Soviet Empire, has risen dangerously from the ashes of communism, its military having regained much of its cold war potency. But what of South Ossetia? Discussion turns away from whether or not the breakaway republic might have a moral right to secede from the Georgian State. Indeed, under Soviet rule, South Ossetia enjoyed a great deal of autonomy. Having suffered at the hands of Czarist Russia, is it any better that the Caucasus should now be at the mercy of Georgia? And what of the West's role in the unfolding epic in the East?
After the US's unjustifiable invasion of Iraq - with Tony Blair's blessing - the West has neither the moral high-ground, nor the military resources to keep the re-emerging Russian State in check. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but as with the US invasion of Iraq, might becomes the criterion for what is right. Sadly, having exhausted both diplomatic and military capital in trade for Iraqi oil, the US and its allies have painted themselves into a corner. Beyond public denouncements, the West has little choice but to abandon its Eastern friends to their fate, leaving them to the mercy of a reinvigorated and increasingly belligerent Russia.
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2 comments:
Wait a minute. Aren't the "breakaway" republics part of Georgia? And isn't Georgia an autonomous independent nation with a democratically elected govt?
If so, then how could Saakashivili's actions be described as "invading"? Seems to me, the actions of these republics would be similar to Maine/Vermont deciding to secede and join with Canada. Certainly we would send troops if necessary to prevent such a thing.
IMO the Russian invasion was carefully planned and Russia fomented the uprising which forced Georgia to act. Russia wants Georgia back under their thumb, as well as all the border nations...particularly Ukraine.
John,
First, Maine and Vermont were never part of Canada - at least as far as Euro-Americans are concerned. South Ossetia and Abkhazia were part of the Soviet Union, as was Georgia, and many of their citizens had Russian passports. This gave Russia an obligation to defend them from Saakashvili's military attack. Second, in one case of historic secession that we have in the United States, even historians refer to the North's incursions into the CSA as invasions.
Third - no argument. I have no doubt that the Russians were behind the uprising in South Ossetia, or that they were looking to humiliate Saakashvili in front of the world. I thought they did a pretty good job of it.
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