This is a rough draft of my upcoming Newslines column in The Sword and Trumpet. If it would have been written as a blog post, it would have been properly referenced throughout. However, the format desired by Sword and Trumpet is as given. If you want any of the statements in this article sourced, drop a comment, and I’ll give the URL.
For many years, Russia has been working to re-establish control over the former Soviet Republics. The most blatant such move was the poisoning of the current President of the Ukraine (Viktor Yushchenko) by the FSB (the new name for the KGB) in 2004. They did this in an election in which Yushchenko was threatening to beat the incumbent pro-Kremlin government. In 2006, the FSB also murdered Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian dissident in London, by poisoning. Russia has used its oil and gas to bully many former Soviet states into submission; many leaders of such states fly to Moscow for consultations before making any major decision.
The remarkably far-sighted McCain said in 1999, “The mindless slaughters being conducted by a Russian military that seeks to reassert itself… in the former Soviet Union… in an attempt to fold back into the Russian Empire those countries that have broken away from it, most notably Georgia.” This stands in sharp contrast to the lack of understanding of the issue displayed by Obama who has been criticized in the Washington Post, on ABC, and from many quarters for his fumbled handling of the matter.
Russia has been inciting violence in Georgia, a former Soviet republic to its south, for years by supporting separatist rebels in the Georgian states of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and Ajaria, as well as shooting down Georgian reconnaissance drones (over Georgian territory) with Russian fighter aircraft. When South Ossetia and Abkhazia gained their autonomy from Georgia by pushing Georgian forces out of their regions, Russia sent in “peacekeepers” who mainly were there to support the rebels. Several years ago, Russia started a campaign to bribe (with pensions, etc) South Ossetians and Abkhazians into applying for Russian citizenship. They also offered incentives for real Russian citizens to move to South Ossetia and Abkhazia. This has resulted in 90% of South Ossetians and Abkhazians holding Russian “citizenship”. Christopher Waters, a law professor and Eastern European expert at the University of Windsor in Canada, said, “Given the sham-like nature of the granting of passports in so many cases, Russia’s basing its forceful actions on protection of nationals abroad… is invalid.”
When Georgia made an effort to regain control of rebel areas in South Ossetia, Russia invaded with a huge column of tanks, easily crushing the diminutive Georgian army. Georgia hurriedly recalled its 2000 troops from Iraq—the third largest contingent in Iraq—but Russian troops had already secured not only South Ossetia (which Georgia was trying to regain control of) but also Abkhazia and significant portions of Georgia proper, most notably the large central Georgian city of Gori (whose capture cut Georgia in two) and the port city of Poti (which is Georgia main port on the Black Sea). Along the way, Russian troops looted banks, Russian bombers deliberately (or incredibly incompetently) bombed civilian targets, and Russian troops throughout Georgia systematically destroyed civilian and military infrastructure (crippling Georgia for years to come).
Wikipedia writes (and meticulously documents) that residential districts, a media center, and a hospital have been bombed by Russians in the Georgian city of Gori. Georgia has alleged ethnic cleansing of Georgians by South Ossetian and Russian forces. Human Rights Watch backs this claim up and has witnessed Georgian villages burning. In an interview with a South Ossetian (SO) officer, he said they “burned these houses (…) to make sure that they [the Georgians] can’t come back.” A SO officer gave an account of one of many summary executions of Georgian soldiers after being captured. Looting is rampant throughout Russian-controlled regions of Georgia with ethnic Georgians targeted. Russian soldiers got caught on a security camera robbing a bank. Russia claims to be taking action against the looters, but a Daily Telegraph reporter saw SO rebels looting and pillaging around Gori with a Russian officer shouting “Take whatever you want!” SO troops also carjacked a UN aid vehicle while Russian troops benignly looked on. Russian and British journalists report that SO rebels are abusing and executing captured Georgian troops, under the watchful eyes of their Russian protectors. AP reports that the Russians have captured civilian Georgians and used them as forced labor, a violation of the Geneva conventions to which the U.S., Georgia, and Russia are signatories. The UN describes the humanitarian situation in Gori (controlled by the Russian military) as “desperate”. Humans Rights Watch has appealed to Russian authorities to “immediately take steps to end Ossetian militia attacks on ethnic Georgians”.
Ironically, the reason given by Russia for defying the cease-fire agreement that they and Georgia signed (which stipulates withdrawal to pre-conflict lines) and digging in and fortifying its positions in Georgia proper was to “keep order and security”.
One of the principal reasons for Russia’s interest in conquering Georgia (beyond simply wanting to control the former Soviet Republics) is an oil pipeline running through it that links Azerbaijan to the sea. The pipeline is the only route out of the oil-rich Azerbaijan (a former USSR republic) that doesn’t run through Russia or Iran. In an interview before the Russian-Georgian war, Azerbijis expressed relief that they are able to sell their oil on the open market without Russia taking it all, as happened when part of the USSR. Apparently Russia doesn’t like this new development as much as Azerbijis. Russia has used its natural gas monopoly in the region to blackmail Europe with threats to turn off the taps.
Another reason was cited in a phone call between Condoleezza Rice and the Russian foreign minister in which the foreign minister said that the current pro-Western government in Georgia “must go”. The clear message Russia wants to send the former USSR is that: if you have a pro-Western government, we will invade until you kowtow to our will and kick that government out.
The Russian president Medvedev warned that anyone who kills Russian citizens—no matter where they are—will receive a “a shattering blow”. It apparently matters little if those are newly minted Russian citizens who are part of an illegal rebel campaign in another sovereign nation.
Fortunately, the fear of Russia has led to the opposite of submission to the threats. All the democratic, free, and open former Soviet republics—fearful of a rising Imperialist Russia and with fresh memories of the atrocities and oppression suffered under Russia in recent history—have stood firm in supporting Georgia and in calling upon the West to step up to the plate to stop Russian aggression.
The war has caused a number of things. First, it caused Poland to quickly ratify an agreement with the U.S. it previously opposed (public support went from 30% to 58%)—an agreement to host anti-ballistic missiles (ABM) in its territory. In return, the U.S. has agreed to give Poland a Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) battery that protects against invading aircraft and short-range missiles; extraordinarily, this will be operated by U.S. military personnel. Secondly, the Ukraine told Russia that if they used Naval craft based at a navy base leased from the Ukraine for aggression against Georgia, they would terminate the contract before the scheduled 2017, because it violates Ukraine’s neutrality in the conflict under international law. Since Russia did destroy Georgia’s Navy, apparently with craft from the Ukrainian naval base, it is unclear what will transpire. Thirdly, the Ukraine also offered the use of a Soviet-built radar station in the Ukraine for integration with European and American defense networks, including the ABM system. Fourth, Russia threatened the Ukraine and Poland with “military action” and nuclear retaliation for supporting the West. Finally, Germany joined America in its support of Georgia’s long-standing bid to join NATO.
The U.S. and France have clearly said that Russia is not abiding by its ceasefire agreement because it still controls the port city of Poti and the large city of Gori, both ethnic Georgian cities outside the borders of Abkhazia or South Ossetia.
Commentators rightly compare this invasion to Hitler’s attack on Czechoslovakia in 1939. President Carter’s former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski writes, “Unfortunately, Putin is putting Russia on a course that is ominously similar to Stalin’s and Hitler’s in the late 1930s. Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt has correctly drawn an analogy between Putin’s ‘justification’ for dismembering Georgia—because of the Russians in South Ossetia—to Hitler’s tactics vis a vis Czechoslovakia to ‘free’ the Sudeten Deutsch. Even more ominous is the analogy of what Putin is doing vis-a-vis Georgia to what Stalin did vis-a-vis Finland: subverting by use of force the sovereignty of a small democratic neighbor. In effect, morally and strategically, Georgia is the Finland of our day.”
Also similar is the Russians calls for and claims of peace and withdrawal, but their continued fighting and destroying even though Georgian troops have ceased all action. On Oct. 6, 1939 Hitler gave a speech to the Reichstag proposing a peace conference with Britain and France; 3 days later he issued orders for the invasion of France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The President of the Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko said, “It is the first time in Europe since the Cold War that a foreign army has entered the territory of a sovereign state without any internationally accepted legal basis. If we were to be ambivalent about this it would give tacit approval to put our country and our citizens under threat. Ukraine has to move towards the NATO alliance. It is the only way for our country to protect our national security and sovereignty. When the borders of NATO expand, so too does the region of peace and stability. The peace and security of Europe are under threat, thus a united Europe should give a robust and appropriate response.”
The question is, will the West appease Putin like Neville Chamberlain did Hitler? or will they refuse to allow imperialism against weaker neighbors a-la Winston Churchill?
Recommended reading:
“Russia’s state craft – Thievery and Intimidation”
Graphic Pictures of the War
“Travels in the Former Soviet Union”
“Report from Tbilisi”
“Russia’s Actions in Georgia is Cause for Great Concern”
“Failing the Georgia Test”
“Volunteering to Kill Georgians”
“The Russian Empire Strikes Back”
“McCain condemnation upstages Bush”
“Georgia on my mind”
“Brzezinski: Russia’s Invasion of Georgia Is Reminiscent of Stalin’s Attack on Finland”
“Russian Aggression meets ‘anticipatory capitulation’”
“True colors: Where’s the “anti-war” movement on the Russo-Georgia war?”
“We helped in Iraq – now help us, beg Georgians”
“Russia aims to keep control of Georgian port city”
“No, It’s Not Good At All”
8 Responses
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Yushchenko’s wife, Katerina, is former Washington resident and Reaganite Kathy Chumachenko. She has many friends in the Washington area, including yours truly.
August 24th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
The Russians are power mongers. They have been and also will be.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hans,
Thanks for this great analysis.
August 31st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Russia had little to no right to invade Georgia proper (i.e. beyond South Ossetia), and it’s questionable that there was significant cause for them to legitimately invade any part of Sovereign Georgia (including South Ossetia). Any pretext has been set up by Russia over the last year – including granting citizenship to the population of a renegade province in another sovereign country.
Granted I am upset that Mikheil Saakashvili took Russia’s bait, but I have little doubt that if he hadn’t, Russia would have eventually designed another pretext to invade. My greatest fury is at the utter lack of useful response by the Federal Government (i.e. Bush the Coward) and the European Union (i.e. The Useless Gits). We abandoned an ally which is unforgivable. We should have at least made a show of force, such as redirecting a Battle Group toward the Black Sea. What we need to do is push the Russians out of the country and throw down the gauntlet. Diplomacy is useless in dealing with Putin, as can be seen by constant Russian violations of the so called cease fire and its use of Georgian civilians as force laborers (I’d use the term slave labor). Putin means to weaken the Republic of Georgia to the point of utter collapse, and George Bush bears some responsibility by his lack of response to the situation.
Since the US Government and European Union have failed to act, it is incumbent upon the citizenry to do what the government has not. What to do?
1. First, always complain to your Representatives and Senators. Call for any and all means to restore Georgian Sovereignty. This of course will accomplish little to nothing as many politicians are base cowards and sycophants, but you have to try.
2. Domestic Energy – I know we don’t like the topic, but it has to be aired and new sources of fuel, both conventional and alternative must be found and developed.
3. Withdraw any and all investments in Russia and Russian Firms. Call on American companies to not do business in Russia.
4. Protest at Russian consultants and Embassies. Interfere with traffic in and out. Submit bogus requests to waste their time and energy.
5. Take down Russia websites and servers – hackers attack. Cost them as much money as possible.
6. Support Georgian resistance groups when and if the time comes.
7. Actively support separatist groups in Russia proper – give Putin a taste of his own medicine.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Defending their territory from Ossetian rebels attacking.
I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure how to translate what you are saying, but it appears you are saying that the APCs were there to destroy the village? Well, I’m sure that wasn’t their ultimate goal, but if the village got destroyed while rebels were launching attacks on the army from that village, it’s the rebels fault, not the Army’s fault.
Are you familiar with our political history? “It depends upon what your definition of the word ‘is’ is.” The Russian articles clearly paint the picture that rebel forces were attacking Georgian troops and villages from Dmenis and Tsunar. If you can’t comprehend that from reading the Russian articles, I’m afraid I can’t help you further.
Ok, you seem to be confused. Earlier in this discussion, I cited a report in Interfax about Tskhinvali:
Also, the South Ossetian “Defense Ministry” said that in the village of Dmenis, 20% of the buildings were destroyed. AFP:
I hate to break it to you, but Dmenis got off very easy for launching attacks on Georgian troops in ethnic Georgian villages. Such an attack is illegitimate even if one would say that South Ossetians should have their independence.
Also, your challenge “Very often meet in your notes the phrase… but had never seen the source” rings very hollow as I have been thoroughly documenting and quoting everything I say while you have been pulling things out of the rumor mill with no documentation whatsoever.
When I said that, it was in the context of Tskhinvali, a fact backed up by eyewitness independent reporters.
It’s good to see that I remain safely short of cheating.
As I have noted before, of course residential buildings were destroyed. It’s called war. A war which the South Ossetians started with their rebellion. When rebels fight from houses, of course they will be destroyed. When the rebels are so firmly entrenched in a city, an artillery barrage is needed to displace them, of course some shells will miss. What has been shown by independent eyewitness reporters is that Georgia did not target residential areas unless rebels were fighting from those areas. In Tskhinvali, most of the buildings destroyed were rebel “government” buildings.
AP:
Also, I don’t see any video at the link you gave. I only see a picture of a video camera.
So your government is censoring the truth? Surprise, surprise. Here’s a cache and here’s a cache and here’s a cache. Hopefully the FSB won’t have its grimy little fingers in all of them.
If only you realized the delicious, rich irony of your statement. Delirium.
If we’re going to communicate, either you’re going to have to learn English or I’ll have to learn Russian. I’ve got my hands a little full right now learning Arabic, and since you’ve made a good start at learning English (or you at least know how to run Babelfish), I suggest you learn English.
I don’t call them all rebels. I’m sure there are peaceful South Ossetians and Abkhazians that aren’t committing treason and rebelling against their democratically elected government. However, those that are, I call rebels. If you’d be honest you would too. What did you call those that rebelled against Russia in Chechnya?
No, actually the rebels replaced the indigenous people when they ethnically cleansed all the ethnic Georgians from their midst. As recently as several weeks ago, 25% of the population of South Ossetia was ethnic Georgians. That number was probably much higher before the first rebellion in the early 1990s.
Human Rights Watch:
I’m sorry Mr. MIR, but accusing Georgians of brutality and genocide is an exercise in futility that is not backed up by the facts. The facts are quite the opposite: it is Ossetians and Russian committing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes. And do you know what the ultimate irony is? It’s massively hypocritical in light of Chechnya.
I’m working on a post right now entitled, “Tskhinvali and Grozny: The Great Russian Hypocrisy”.
September 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
If an invasion and bombing campaign isn’t war, I don’t know what is. Simply because Russia backed down in the face of international pressure to stop their imperialism doesn’t make it any less a war.
It would have been as pointless for Georgia to convene the U.N. Security Council to stop an invasion by Russia (which has a veto) as it would have been for Sadaam to convene the Security Council to stop the invasion of the U.S. (which has a veto).
October 1st, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Georgia is the most dangerous flashpoint in Russia’s tense relations with the West. The Bible says: “At the appointed time [the king of the north = Russia] will return [will regain the influence, which it lost after the break-up of the Soviet Union] and come into the south [many indicate that this might be Georgia], but it will not be as the former [1921] or as the latter [2008]. For shall come against him the dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [the West], and he will be humbled, and will return.” (Daniel 11:29,30a)
At that time, peace will be taken from the earth and the “great sword” – nuclear sword – will be used. (Revelation 6:4) However, it will be neither the great tribulation nor “the end of the world” (Armageddon). As Jesus foretold, that will be “the beginning of birth pains”. (Mathew 24:7,8)
If the Heavens planned a full return of Russia (and much suggests this) the present economic crisis will deepen. Then also the European Union and NATO will not stand.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Ewiak, I’m glad someone has it figured out.
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