As predicted, a military conflict between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia came a step closer after the Kremlin announced it was suspending all air flights from Russia to Georgia next week. This step is seen by Tblisi as confirmation that Moscow is going to launch preemptive strikes against Georgian territory that the Russians suspect is being used by Chechan guerillas in their war against the Russian occupation of Chechnya.
There's more to this story than first meets the eye.
Georgia is currently embroiled in a confrontation similar to Russia's in Chechnya; the South Ossetia region of Georgia declared independence and Georgia is using force to try and reign it in. Complicating matters, the Russian government has recognized a rebel government in South Ossetia against Georgia's wishes and has sent Russian troops to keep the peace following the unilateral withdrawal of Georgian troops.
Georgia is also trying to join NATO; U.S. Marines are currently in Georgia training the Georgian Army in NATO and U.S. tactics and procedures to prepare Georgia for entry into the alliance. This annoys Russia to no end.
Georgia's problems do not end in South Ossetia; it has another breakaway province near Chechnya called Abkhazia. The Russians are claiming that Chechans are using this province as a staging area to attack Russian forces in Chechnya.
The Russians have vowed to deal with the terrorists using any means necessary. The questions being asked by a worried Georgian public are: will Russia invade? Will it launch air strikes? What will happen?
This preemptive strike strategy being followed by the U.S., Israel and Russia seems very reckless. The U.S. attack on Iraq did not meet the criteria called for by Article 51 of the United Nations charter, Israel's assassination of a Hamas leader in Syrian territory (yesterday) doesn't either, and Russia's threatening Georgia doesn't either.
Very complex situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment