War in South Ossetia. Russia vs. Georgia – the start of World War III?
Being across the ocean, it would be foolish of me to take any categorical pro-Georgian or pro-Russian position in this conflict.
As a kid, growing up in USSR and playing chess – one of the most popular sports – I had an awesome time traveling to the Caucasian region. All three capitals – Tbilisi (Georgia), Yerevan (Armenia) and Baku (Azerbaijan) remain in my memory as sunny places with friendly and hospitable people.
When I was about 15, I participated in the National Team competition in Nakhichevan City (another area of recent ethnic conflicts) – a wonderful and perfectly safe place back then. Even though most of the local women wore “paranja” (Russian for hijab), the traditional attire of the local Muslim women, I felt perfectly fine wearing sleeveless tops and short skirts, the fashionable attire of Russian and Ukrainian girls. No one came to me with any words of objection or hostility, rather I and other girls were treated with grace and admiration, as real “Sport Stars”. Locals stopped us in the city just to say “hello,” to ask for an autograph, to wish us a good luck in the next round and even to give us flowers.
I have the same pleasant memories about the USSR Young Masters Championship in Tbilisi – with great Georgian food and awesome hospitality – which I happened to win. I can talk more about my past experiences, but unfortunately it is time to talk about the present.
The war between Georgia and Russia began on Friday, August 8, 2008. This is the war of a small country, fighting for its territory, freedom and independence against an enormous one, overfed on oil dollars, run by former KGB operatives and determined to reestablish itself as a world super-power. Knowing the hot Georgian temperament, I can easily believe that Georgians were provoked by the Russians, to the point they started the offensive on South Ossetia on the day of the opening of Olympic Games.
Each side has reasons for this war. Georgia wants to get back its territory once and forever. After all, if one assumes that every region has the right to declare its autonomy, then “China Town” in New York City can claim autonomy as a satellite province of China. Likewise for “Little Italy” as an Italian territory and Brighton Beach a.k.a. “Little Odessa” as a Ukrainian (or Great Russian) territory.
Sadly, the joke about Great Russia is not a joke. For Russia this war is not only to gain control over the important geopolitical territory near the Caspian Sea and seize control over the oil delivery route, it’s also the way, to once again, oppose United States and show its muscle. Russian pride got humiliated with the fall of USSR and most of the Russians support the strong government. With Russian history school books being re-written countless times, many young Russians have very little understanding of the tragedy of Stalin times.
This is a “must read” book for anyone who wants to understand Putin and its regime.
Scary, but the U.S. seems to be blind to the current developments. They never seem to understand Russians (and other Slavic nations) politically, nor economically. To many “Soviets” living in the US it is obvious that “friend Putin” is not a friend. He is an enemy. An aggressive, smart and cruel enemy. He has jailed Mikhail Khodorkovsky (the wealthiest man in Russia and 16th wealthiest man in the world in 2004), he pretty much confiscated BP’s interest in TNK-BP, he killed Alexander Litvinenko (former officer of Russian Federal Security Service, who escaped to UK), he is currently bombing Georgia. If nobody stops him now, the next victims will be Ukraine and Estonia, after that it won’t take long to establish Great Russia.
While George Bush is playing beach volleyball and posing for photos with the US Women’s Olympic Team in China and the U.N. Security Council can’t come up with anything to stop the Russians, thousands of people are losing their life in this crazy and inhumane war.
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Comments on War in South Ossetia. Russia vs. Georgia – the start of World War III?
Your first words are “Being across the ocean, it would be foolish of me to take any categorical pro-Georgian or pro-Russian position in this conflict.” And then you immediately proceed to take a categorically pro-Georgian and anti-Russian position on the conflict.
Dear Zhorik,
Thanks a lot for your comment. I knew I would get this question and was waiting for it.
Let me clarify my position. As I stated previously, it is not pro-Georgian and it is not anti-Russian. My position is anti-Putin, anti-KGB and anti-war.
In no way do I support Georgia’s attack of South Ossetia, but even less so do I support Putin’s decision to bomb most of Georgia. Wasn’t it enough for our parents and grandparents to live through the hell of World War II? Why must our generation and our children go through a similar experience?
I have many friends in most of the former Soviet Republics, as well as all over the world. As you’ve probably noticed, many players in the Chess Olympiads for countries all over the world are former Soviets. We are all one big family.
To me, the whole situation is based on Putin’s ambitions to recreate Stalin’s Russia.
This is why I suggest reading “Death of a Dissident”
to anyone who wants to understand Putin, his power and motives. Even though the book was likely ordered and paid for by Boris Berezovsky (Russian oligarch, media tycoon and politician during the presidency of Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s), it still gives a lot of inside information and analysis on what’s taking place now.
Why would the people of Ossetia and Abkhazia have such an “immense desire” to separate from Georgia and become part of Russia in the first place? Do you really think it happened without Russian involvement, propaganda and direct payments to separatists? The next thing you know, Putin will “grant” Russian citizenship to most of the Czech people and then we will have another Prague Spring of 1968.
Of course, American Presidents are no great example either. I couldn’t stand America bombing Belgrade and Novi Sad in 1999. (The first time I was allowed to leave USSR to play in an international tournament was in 1988 in NOVI SAD – and I loved the place and people! I also spent quite a bit of time in Belgrade, playing for the “Vozhdovatz” Team in the Yugoslavian Chess League in 1991.) Not any better, in my opinion, was the idea of Kosovan independence – creating a precedent which was exploited by Putin to justify his attack. And this is not a full list…
But getting back to my main point. Nothing can justify lost lives and destroyed families, kids left without parents and parents holding kids’ dead bodies. The war is awful for everyone who has to live through it and for everyone who can feel for it. And it is scary to know that one of the great countries is led by a former KGB officer to become another Hitler-Stalin-Putin Empire.
Dear Anjelina,
In reading your article and comments, I understand your feeling to people suffering the current war between Russia and Georgia. I am just wondering one question: why did not people, especially people from so-called democratic countries, blame US and other countries who supported Kosovo’s independence while they criticise Russia so loudly for supporting South Ossetia’s independence? By the way, I am a Chinese living in Australia. I have no political prejudice to either of the countries involved in the conflict. I am just very sick of the double standard some western countries and unfortunately their people have been holding for long time.
Best regards,
Danny
Hi,
Get ready for the Third world war. Russia will invade Europe to block NATO putting bases in former soviet republics. Russian will face up to America and attack from bases in venezuela.
America can’t affored fight Afghanistan and Iraq plus Russia – especially with the big credit crunch.
Global economic crisis is looming.
On top of this there will be an oil crisis.
And if that is not enough there will be typhoons, floods earthquakes and many many other disasters.
Welcome to the Apocalypse.
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.