Russia is now pursuing an imperialistic path like never before - returning to its former glory of the Soviet Days. Each day we see a world increasing into the "west" and the "rest" - a bipolar society reflective of the Cold War era. Yes indeed, we are entering into a new era of a global cold war and Georgia is just simply one of the battlegrounds.
When The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was created in 1991, the world thought Soviet Union was over and its satellite states will return to a state of normalcy and peace. Recently however, Russia has begun large scale rebuilding of its military prowness, recommissioning World War II era long range bombers to patrol the European and Asian skies, and signing military deals with surrounding nations. But it does not end with the military either. Russia has begun to buy the gas pipelines, oil shells, Baltic sea trading ports and any other economically beneficial resource from its former satellite states. Today Russia controls almost 90% of the energy supply (gas and oil) that goes into Europe.
Soon afterwards, Russia began to make alliances with countries the world did not cooperate with. It started with Iraq while Saddam was in power and then with Iran - helping them build its Nuclear "power" reactors. Then it got Syria on its side and created a economically mutual understanding with China. Then something ticked Russia off and that is the fact that some of its former satellite states that were in The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are starting to look towards the West for political, economic and military assistance.
Western nations wary of the Russian assistance for nuclear research, technology and reactors to Iran began to think of ways to defend themselves. Despite Russia's mounting opposition, the Czech Republic, Poland, Britain and all of the former critics of the US Missile Shield are quiet as the project in Europe continues to near completion to provide European nations with Missile (ICBM and more) defense. What was Russia's immediate reaction? Russia immediately responded by having its Tu-160 Supersonic long ranged nuclear bombers to be stationed in Cuba as deterrent to the US Missile Shield. The suggestion of Russian nuclear weapons in Cuba is reminiscent of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis that followed the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the Caribbean island.
Since the fall of communism, Moscow watched as NATO continued to expand almost to its borders, incorporating most of the countries in the former Eastern Bloc. What pains Russia is seeing its former Soviet states joining NATO or working closely with the West. Thus Russia began a campaign of Intimidation. Thus European Union is waking up to the fact that there is a growing Russia problem. These include - and here I am quoting - "the hate week' against Georgia, the cyber-attack on Estonia, the Litvinenko murder, the constant pressure on free speech and democracy, Russian recalcitrance over Kosovo, Russia's threat to pull-out of the CFE treaty; the threats made to Poles over missile defense and Russia's possible recognition of Abkhazia."
But this is just the tip of the Iceberg, more tensions are rising and a Russian-gas dependent Europe is confused as to how to deal with Russia. Germany's Chancellor was condemned for being "too accommodating" towards Russia's increasing aggression. However Russia is using its 3rd largest oil reserve in the world and the largest gas reserves to intimidate the West. Russian companies have enjoyed huge profits thanks to a recent oil boom and the fact that Russian government is taking over private companies and consolidating them to the state. When pro-western governments were elected in Latvia, Ukraine and Georgia, the Russian government turned off the gas pipelines to those respective countries - refusing to sell the needed resoruces for their countries. In Belarus, when it got too "friendly" with NATO, Russia doubled the price of gas there.
But it does not just end in a economic cold war. Georgia for years have been lodging complaints at the United Nations and with Russia for Russian aggression and violation of National Sovereignty. Everything from a gas embargo to Russian Missiles to Russian Jets have been thrown at the small pro-western nation of Georgia. Since the 1990s, Russia has begun an intensive campaign to ensure that the rebels in Georgia are armed with Russian weapons and has begun to support the separatist movement. Russian "peacekeepers" were deployed to stop Georgian troops from defending their nation and from striking at the rebels while the rebels carry out terrorist hit and run attacks on the country.
This is a gross violation of national sovereignty and the world is not doing anything. The world does not do anything because Europe needs Russian oil and gas, The Middle East needs Russian weapons and support and The United Nation permanent security council member with a veto power is Russia - making anything aganist Russia to fail at the Security Council. Now much of these ideals are at war in Georgia.
However, there are some positive news. Russia recently tried to make territorial claims with China - a move that is seen as some sort of intimidation method by the Russian. This move has driven a deeper schism between China and Russia relationship - a break that the US is looking to take advantage of. US is thus trying to work closer to China economically and politically. The changes are shown recently as China takes American side in opposing Iranian nuclear power while the US softens its language aganist Chinese Human Rights violations.
Today, we see a Russia that now controls the Baltic nations with the power of "black gold" or oil. Russia has begun to arm rebels in Georgia and the states that are becoming pro-western. Upon International recognition of Kosovo, Russia has begun to see Southern Ossezia (Georgian territory occupied by Russian troops and Georgian rebels) as an independent nation. Georgia who repeatedly called for Russia to stop meddling with Georgia politics simply got sick of all the aggression. Thus Georgian troops began to storm Southern Ossezia to being it back under its control. But there is a bigger stake riding on this. This is a Cold War battle being fought between Russia and its former satellite state of Georgia.
If Georgia wins, it will show the power of the western states and give more credibility to the small nation surrounded by large neighbors. However, this is unlikely as Russia simply outguns the Georgians. As far as Russia sees this, The Georgian conflict is a message to the world and to the former Satellite states - that is Do Not Mess with Russia. The message is being to these Baltic and European nations that Russia is the boss around here and being pro-western won't save you.
But Georgia is fighting back with all of its resources because the country depends on this. If Russia wins, there is a chance the nation will simply fall apart. The Russians are also seeking to make sure Georgia is not accepted into the NATO and making sure the country is unstable is the easiest and the best way to make sure the country does not get into the NATO. Russia is wary of the NATO's ever expanding membership.
So what will this new Cold War Era lead to? Only time will tell but if ask any political analyst, we can clearly see a new bipolar world emerging. Most religious Christians will tell you that it is exactly what is mentioned in the Bible. Bible predicts that Russia must come to power and that it will rally the middle eastern nations with it - a trend we are starting to see today. Whatever the current situation is, we are starting to see a battle of ideas, politics and concepts - a war that cannot be easily defined as "good vs. evil."