Russia-Georgia conflict deciphered 

When Georgia launched an effort to quell the pro-Russia militia in South Ossetia, - a mountainous territory that wants to break away from Georgia and join Russia, and retake the breakaway region - prompted a furious military backlash from Moscow

Pro-Russian South Ossetia, which lies within Georgia's borders, broke away from Georgian rule in 1992 and Moscow's has attempted to destabilise the area, which has a high population of ethnic Russians, by funding separatist militia within its territory.

Georgia also holds control of key oil pipelines and due to the five days of fighting has caused fluctuations and uncertainties in the oil markets. The conflict has also spooked investors, triggering a dip in the rouble and Russian stocks.

The driving force behind the troubles stem from three forces which have triggered an historic conflict of rivalries over control on key oil supplies and South Ossetia's demands for independence. Georgia is a former Soviet state which has been forging close links with the West (US in particular) - a move Moscow views as a threat.

On the ground, Russia's military presence in South Ossetia has heavily outweighed Georgia's. On Monday, Russia had 90,000 forces in the region compared to just 18,000 Georgian troops. Russia says 1,600 South Ossetian civilians have been killed in the fighting and thousands are now homeless, while Georgia has reported close to 200 killed and hundreds of injured.

Is the sign of a new, more aggressive Russian administration? 

Russia's brutal offensive, and the role of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in it, has proven one thing: Kremlin is still top dog, despite the collapse of the Soviet empire.

What have world leaders had to say about Russia's actions? 

The unanimous view is that Russia's attacks on Georgia have been ‘disproportionate and dangerous'. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described the hostilities in South Ossetia as "massacres". Russia, by way of a response, has accused Georgia of genocide. the West is divided in terms of how to handle the crisis.

Now Moscow has signed a formal ceasefire, surely the conflict is over? 

Medvedev may have instructed the Defence Ministry to "stop the operation to force the Georgian authorities to peace", but there is some debate over whether that will end the fighting completely. His statement contained the caveat that any hotbeds of resistance will be met with force - effectively giving Russia the green light to resume the offensive.

Will Russia now pull its troops out of the region?  Russia has been very vocal about what Georgia should be doing, but has so far remained tight-lipped about plans to reduce its own military presence.

Is Russia trying to swallow up Georgia again? 

Some fear within Georgia itself see the hostilities as part of a more sinister long-term mission by the Kremlin, but there are also hopes that Russia's formal ceasefire will bring about an end to the current hostilities. Moscow has denied making any attempt to overthrow Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, but it has called on him to resign, claiming it "can no longer work with him."

Email (will not be published)

Name

Title

Comment
 remaining characters

Post