What is the georgian/russia conflict about?

Question

i am hearing so many things, i have heard russia attacked georgia, and now im hearing the georgia bombed its own people!

Can someone please explain the politics, and tell my why these two countries are in a conflict?

Answer 1

Georgia wanted to join NATO but russia is technically against nato (since nato was against the soviet union) so russia invaded Georgia saying that they were killing russians

Answer 2

From today's Washington Post. Thought this might be of interest to the list. Best, JRW

A Path to Peace in the Caucasus

By Mikhail Gorbachev

Tuesday, August 12, 2008; A13

MOSCOW -- The past week's events in South Ossetia are bound to shock and pain anyone. Already, thousands of people have died, tens of thousands have been turned into refugees, and towns and villages lie in ruins. Nothing can justify this loss of life and destruction. It is a warning to all.

The roots of this tragedy lie in the decision of Georgia's separatist leaders in 1991 to abolish South Ossetian autonomy. This turned out to be a time bomb for Georgia's territorial integrity. Each time successive Georgian leaders tried to impose their will by force -- both in South Ossetia and in Abkhazia, where the issues of autonomy are similar -- it only made the situation worse. New wounds aggravated old injuries.

Nevertheless, it was still possible to find a political solution. For some time, relative calm was maintained in South Ossetia. The peacekeeping force composed of Russians, Georgians and Ossetians fulfilled its mission, and ordinary Ossetians and Georgians, who live close to each other, found at least some common ground.

Through all these years, Russia has continued to recognize Georgia's territorial integrity. Clearly, the only way to solve the South Ossetian problem on that basis is through peaceful means. Indeed, in a civilized world, there is no other way.

The Georgian leadership flouted this key principle.

What happened on the night of Aug. 7 is beyond comprehension. The Georgian military attacked the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali with multiple rocket launchers designed to devastate large areas. Russia had to respond. To accuse it of aggression against "small, defenseless Georgia" is not just hypocritical but shows a lack of humanity.

Mounting a military assault against innocents was a reckless decision whose tragic consequences, for thousands of people of different nationalities, are now clear. The Georgian leadership could do this only with the perceived support and encouragement of a much more powerful force. Georgian armed forces were trained by hundreds of U.S. instructors, and its sophisticated military equipment was bought in a number of countries. This, coupled with the promise of NATO membership, emboldened Georgian leaders into thinking that they could get away with a "blitzkrieg" in South Ossetia.

In other words, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was expecting unconditional support from the West, and the West had given him reason to think he would have it. Now that the Georgian military assault has been routed, both the Georgian government and its supporters should rethink their position

Answer 3

POWER.  Isn't every conflict?

Answer 4

It's Putin making an oil grab. Three major oil pipelines flow thru Georgia from the Caspian Sea. Russian already cut off two. Georgia has a democratically elected gov't in place. If the Russians take over, that gov't will disappear and the Russians will control those pipelines, which supplies oil to most of Europe. Then Russia can threaten Europe any time they want. Putin is an ex-KGB thug BTW, and he's despicable.

Answer 5

No sorry I cant, I can only repeat whatever you you have heard.

                              It all depends upon what you are willing to believe.

Always read both sides of the story and make up your own mind.

                              How about China and Tibet? Have you looked up all that?     Both sides?

Good luck with all  that.

                                    My opinion is worth nothing, it's yours that counts.

Answer 6

Russian influence in Georgia is the equivalent of US influence in Central America in the 80s.

It is all about influence, access to resources and power. The US calls it "democracy" and Russia calls it "security for Russians in South Osetia".

It is all about oil in this case, the US does not give a **** about Georgia, Georgians and real democracy, Russia does not care about Russians in Oetia, is the oil, is the oil.

And by the way, stupid move from Poland allowing the Empire (the US) to put interception missiles there.

Answer 7

ask this little girl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u94qW6Fn...