Georgia Declares War on Russia

The Georgian parliament has declared war against Russia for the next 15 days as the civilian death toll in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia surpasses 2,000. For the third time in two days the U.N. Security Council has met to discuss the situation, but (typically) have not been able to agree on a solution; however, several nations including the U.S. and U.K. have called for a cease fire. President Bush spoke to Russian President Madvedev and warned that their bombing campaign marked “a dangerous escalation” of the crisis and called for an immediate halt to hostilities. Medvedev said only a complete withdrawal of Georgian troops from South Ossetia would ease tensions, and further stipulates that Georgia sign an agreement never to use force in its separatist territories again.

So, what’s the deal?

South Ossetia is a mountainous province located in northern Georgia that shares its northern border with the Russian republic of North Ossetia.

South Ossetia enjoyed broad autonomy within Soviet Georgia and first claimed independence in 1989. It has run its own affairs without international recognition since breaking away from the Tbilisi-based Georgian government during a bloody 1991-1992 conflict that killed more than 1,000 people and displaced tens of thousands.

Authorities held a referendum in 1992 proclaiming the province’s independence, but it went unnoticed by the international community, leaving the region in limbo. South Ossetians voted overwhelmingly for independence in a second referendum in November 2006.

Russia has peacekeepers in South Ossetia, but Tbilisi accuses them of siding with the separatists. Since coming to power in 2004, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has vowed to bring South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, back under Georgian control.

Russia formally recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia as parts of Georgia, but it sides with their separatist leaders in disputes with the Georgian government and has granted many of their residents Russian citizenship. (h/t: AP)

So, what’s at stake?

Georgia is a staunch U.S. ally and emerging democracy. They’ve sent troops to Iraq to fight the insurgents. They also aspire to join NATO and the EU. Of course, Moscow opposes both of these goals. Its pro-Western stance has angered Russia as Moscow considers the entire region within its own sphere of influence.

I believe it’s important to support Georgia. They’re an important ally and the steps we take right now will demonstrate our level of commitment. Still, we recently supported Kosovo’s independence despite Russian objections; are we really in a position to challenge South Ossetia’s claim to independence although they’re likely to follow Moscow?

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