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Seemingly out of nowhere there has been the development of extreme violence and military conflict in the country of Georgia that has been brought on by Russia. The violence, to most Americans, seems shocking and unexpected, but in reality the military front was a strategically planned action. As of yet the US is not entangled, but Russia may force the hand of yet another American involvement on foreign soil.

South Ossetia is the root of the conflict, however the bad blood between Russia and Georgia began at the end of the Cold War. Georgia was once part of the Soviet Union and at the end of the Cold War when the Soviet Union dissolved Georgia was formed. Russia was angeredd and deeply affected due to Georgia’s location on the black sea, which meant a loss of commerce and military advantage. For over a decade Russia remained in the shadows plotting military action and looking for a political weakness in Georgia to exploit in order to gain back a coveted geographical area. The tiny province of South Ossetia was just the weakness Russia was looking for.

The tiny province of South Ossetia is not recognized by the UN or NATO, despite multiple petitions to join. It has long since be considered a province in the country of Georgia. Since the separatist movement of South Ossetia began there has been contentions between Ossatians and the Georgian government.

On August 8th, 2008 Georgia made a sudden aggressive attack on South Ossetia. As the Olympic Games opened the Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, was seen at the opening games and then shortly after on the war front in Georgia. On the first day of violence an Ossetian leader reported that over 1,000 civilians were already killed.

Pictured are Georgian rockets battering the province of Ossetia. Reportedly over 1,000 civillians were killed in the initial attacks on the first night before Russians responded.

Russia has traditionally supported the rebel group in South Ossetia. The country has peace keeping forces in that province as well as the Russian Province just to the north, North Ossetia. Some theorize that Russia’s motives are to eliminate Democracy on its boarder and has been such since the end of the Cold War. Georgia claims that Russia has invaded their territory with no just cause, while Russia claims that they are only protecting their boarder and Russians citizens that reside in South Ossetia from Georgian violence.

So far attacks in the region have centered on their command and communication centers, particularly the city of Gori. There has been no talks of Russian troops invading the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi. Russia has acted swiftly and severely, devastating and overtaking the country of Georgia with unmatched power. Georgia has reportedly shot down 15 war planes, but their many cities along their main East/West road have been bombed and invaded. The capital of Ossetia, Tskhinvali, is reportedly under Russian control. Russia has reported that 2 of their planes have been shot down since the invasion began. Most Georgian troops have been withdrawn to the Georgian capital city of Tsibili. The Russian navy is also along the Georgian Coast on the Black Sea, but no movements from the ships have yet been made.

Georgia’s President, Mikheil Saakashvili, signed an International Cease-Fire that is to be taken to Moscow this evening in hopes of ending the conflict without further bloodshed. Georgian troops have also been withdrawn from Ossetia, just as an increase in Russian troops and tanks were reported, as a gesture of good will. As Georgian troops pulled out over 10,000 Russian troops were entering Georgia and 2,000 Georgian soldiers in active duty in Iraq were being withdrawn back to defend their home country.

This conflict has also motivated another break away province in Georgia, Abkhazia, to mobilize its rebel troops. Their troops are working in connection with the Russian military. The Georgian government predicts that such a movement is in anticipation of another attack on Georgia.

These conflict does, however, affect the United States. Georgia is a democratic country recognized by the UN and NATO. Previously President Bush has vowed to defend Georgia if any violence or dissemination developed around or within its boarders. The US, NATO, and European Union have met and attempted to mediate the situation by offering a cease fire, but it appears to be unsuccessful as Russia has stated they will reject any cease fire presented to them. Attempts are being made to dissolve the violence, but just as in Iraq the United States may not wait for official actions to be successful before launching itself into the conflict. President Bush has already condemned the actions of Russia.

The United States has a history of a “Savior Complex” and rescuing nations from conflicts that are not their own to look brawny and righteous in the eyes of the world. Hopefully the US government will acknowledge the conflict, but allow international organizations to decide how and when to act.

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