Moscow's policy over Georgia is linked with its continuing concerns over Russia own territorial integrity.
In the light of the above statement discuss Russian internal security mattes as an impediment to her much desired global role.
A cornered animal is the most dangerous animal: Russia feels cornered and its frustration was a vented on Mikhail Saakhasveli's Georgia. One can not expect to ruin someone's backyard and get away with it; an irascible owner would immediately lash out in a vengeful and vindictive manner.
After the end of the cold war an agreement was signed between Russian and the West that hostilities would cease and NATO and the EU would stop their eastern expansion towards Russia. NATO is a defunct and moribund institution – it was founded purely for the purpose of providing protection to member states from Russian influence. With the cessation of hostilities and a normalization of ties, NATO should have, in goodwill, been disbanded. However, due to a European phobia of the Russian resurgent military, NATO was kept.
This, amalgamated with the EU announcement of talks to discuss the inclusion of Georgia into the EU infuriated defense analysts inside Moscow. However, to even further add to Russia's agony, the United States announced a missile defense shield in the Czech Republic to combat rogue states such as Iran. The context of this announcement was increasing Iranian missile tests; however Russia saw this as a direct threat to its military deterrence capabilities and so it threatened to bomb the Czech Republic and the proposed missile defense sites. Inevitably relations reached a nadir as Russian frustration grew.
Another source for Moscow's anguish was the recent US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq: now it really felt encircled; a growing European union to the west; an already present rival China to its south-east and now a superpower in the region to its south. Describing the Russian predicament as merely "concerning" to Russia is a gross understatement considering we are talking about a former super-power.
Russia has been nicknamed "Resurgent Russia" because of a rise in blackmail tactics to bully surrounding nations. During ex-President Putin's reign, Russia underwent a quiet revolution that is still going on under incumbent President Medvedev and Prime minister Putin. When the USA invaded Iraq and demand for oil was high – the price of oil skyrocketed to $120 a barrel. Oil rich nations such as Russia used these petro-dollars to fuel the local industry and revamp its military. It quietly reasserted itself as a regional power able to twist neighboring arms. It was going to use its resources to obtain required results. In 2007, UCOS, a Russian gas and oil company was accused of gross illegalities and was nationalized. Precocious minds can easily ascertain that these allegations were frivolous and used to gain control of a tool to be used against other nations. In 2008, Russia demanded that Georgia pay a higher price for the gas it received. Georgia rejected this demand while pointing to a previous agreement that was still binding. Tensions flared up again and, in the middle of winter, Russia stopped all gas supplies to Georgian Gazprom pointing to the non-payment of outstanding dues as the reason. The impact was exactly what Russia intended; the EU's gas supply was disrupted and the message was heard loud and clear: Russia was back and would not tolerate any further EU expansion. Eventually a deal was brokered and money exchanged hands; yet, tension flared up again soon.
On the eve of the 2008 Olympic optioning ceremony, President Saakhesveli, on the advice of his compromised intelligence agency, decided to try to take back the break-away region of Abkhazia, Russia detected a military buildup and anticipated a Georgian invasion of Abkhazia. A showdown was inevitable. As expected, the Russian army beat back the Georgian army and cut the country into two with the international community struggling to present a single voice. This gave Russia ample time and opportunity to get its message across. Russia took control of key port cities and towns whilst simultaneously bolstering Abkhazia's defense. Pictures streamed out of Georgia showed the Georgian army in full retreat and the only major city that Georgia controlled was its capital Kiev: Russia would not tolerate any further security threats. It did eventually withdraw but Abkhazia was annexed and recognized a sovereign country by Russia.
I believe that currently Russia has no desire for a global role. Instead, Vladimir Putin may envision Russia as a key regional player with a national interest based policy. An example of such a policy is its stance oven Iranian nuclear ambitions. Russia has, in the recent past, vetoed UN security resolutions calling for sanctions against Iran. As a matter of fact, Russia has offered to enrich uranium required as a fuel for nuclear reactors – it has even offered to build one.
If Russia truly desired a global role then it would seek a more active role in the middle and far-east and in Latin America. Hence, I do not consider Russia internal security as an impediment but as another tool for Russia to expand its sphere of influence – by force if necessary.
818 words
