Russia Invades Georgia

Troubling recent events in Georgia are raising questions in the international community over what should be done. Even Barack Obama and John McCain have spoken about the issue and take drastically different positions. The resulting situation is a prime example for the problems caused by dividing nations along ethnic lines.

On August 7th Georgia began an attack on rogue province South Osettia in an attempt to reabsorb the territory. South Osettia has been nominally independent since the early 1990s, though the world has not recognized its independence. During that time Russia has kept a peacekeeping force within the borders as a means of protecting the ethnic Russians there, which make up most of the population.

On August 8th the Russians began a bombing campaign against targets in Georgia, including the capital of Tblisi, drawing the attention of news media all over the world.

Russia Begins Bombing

During the initial bombing campaign Russia claimed to have gained control of the Osettian capital of Tskhinvali, but the Georgians claimed to stil be in control. Reports say the fighting has led to over 30,000 homeless and a botched attempt by the Russians to destroy the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline that feeds oil to much of Western Europe. Confused reporting mixed with propaganda on both sides estimate between 150 and 2,000 have died, depending on who is asked.

As of this writing, the war is escalating. The Georgians have withdrawn from South Osettia after Russia demanded this action as a precursor to any peace negotiations. But instead of following through with their promise, Russia has instead taken advantage of the situation by invading greater Georgia itself. The Georgians fear fighting a full-scale with Russia, whose recent actions indicate a desire to regain some of the Soviet Union's former influence.

The Rise of the Ethnic State?

The problem this poses to the international community is large. Playing the blame game and trying to pin outright guilt on Georgia or Russia, as U.S. politicians have tried to do, is foolhardy. Recently international relations has seen a trend in the weakening of traditional nation-states and a growing desire for ethnic states. By redrawing political maps after World War I and II the world mixed hostile ethnic groups together under one banner.

The internal conflicts this caused are the roots of many modern insurrections and wars, and are the bane of the civilized world. Does the fact that South Osettia has a majority Russian population mean that Russia has a legitimate reason to invade and attack a sovereign nation? Which tie is stronger: allegiance to an ethnic group or to a nation-state? Ethnic politics only muddies the water.

Escalating War in Georgia

A small, targeted war to push Georgia out of Osettia had drawn little criticism from the world powers, but if Russia continues to escalate by invading Georgia itself the international community needs to ask itself if allowing Russia to flex her muscles and destroy a neighboring country is smart.

With Russia targeting the oil pipelines and her past history of using oil as a weapon, Europe has reason to be concerned. Allowing Russia to dismantle a neighboring country for trying to maintain territorial sovereignty is also a mistake.

What implications does an aggressive, resurgent Russia have on international politics, and what does allowing a country to be overrun in the name of ethnic ties say to nations elsewhere who have a desire to free or unite ethnic brothers? Allowing Russia to overrun Georgia may very well start a new trend in ethnic warfare and wars for "liberation" that will only cause new problems for Europe and North America.

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