by Robert C. Sage

Created on: September 08, 2008

Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Block, America and the West has worked to incorporate more and more of the former Soviet client states or territories into NATO, the E.U. and other multilateral organizations in effect reducing the influence and prestige of Russia. This effort to bring former communist states into the family of "free" nations has been a unique courtship on both sides. The case of Georgia was mostly "under the radar" of the western media, until the events of early August 2008. In fact, the roots of the conflict go back to the time that Georgia became independent of the former USSR. Since that time, South Ossetia and Abhzakia refused to consider themselves to be part of Georgia and defeated the attempt of Georgia to force recognition of Georgian sovereignty with its military. Since the early 1990's, both regions fought off the Georgian troops and maintained strict autonomy with Russian support. In fact, the rebels had long sought recognition of their independence from Georgia and passports were provided by Russia. Thus, they have been under de facto Russian protectorship since then and Russian troops have been stationed there ever since on a peace keeping mission.

The present crisis began August 7, when Georgia sent its troops into the capital of South Ossetia. Among the early casualties were some of the Russian peacekeeping troops. Georgia should have expected that Russia would respond in kind. The next day, Russian tanks began to stream across the border and quickly routed the Georgians. The Russians didn't stop at the borders of the breakaway provinces and instead began to stream into Georgia proper. Despite a France-brokered ceasefire agreement that appeared to end the conflict, Russian troops did not leave Georgia proper and instead took strategic positions within Georgia. Israel has built a friendly relationship with Georgia by providing military training and assistance. Russian troops located two airports that Israel had helped to develop and they inflicted damage. How long will the Russians remain garrisoned in Georgia? Russia considers it to be within their right to self-defense to maintain some troops in Georgia proper.

Georgia's U.S. educated Prime Minister Saakavili has been roundly criticized for rousing and provoking the Russian bear to come to battle and then follow through on its threat to recognize the dissident provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. Russia had said it might do

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