UW-Madison's Center for Russia, East Europe and Central Asia played host Tuesday to a panel discussion about the ongoing conflict between Georgia and Russia.
While much of the United States concentrates on the upcoming presidential election, the brewing tensions in the Caucasus region of Russia, which elevated when Russia attacked Georgian troops within separatist regions inside Georgia in early August, is sure to have significant foreign policy implications for the next U.S. president.
If Russia does not step back from its aggressive posture and actions in Georgia, the U.S.-Russian relationship could be adversely affected for years to come,"" U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a news conference Aug. 14.
Panelists for the university's discussion included UW-Madison geography professor Robert Kaiser, history professor David McDonald and Uli Schamiloglu, chair of Central Asian Studies and professor of languages and cultures in Asia, who addressed the historical roots of the conflict.
According to the panelists, the greatest implication of Russia's strikes are that it wishes for the region to again be dominated by Russia, a hegemonic state much like what was in place during the Cold War.
""This gesture reaffirms to a domestic audience that agrees with [Russian Prime Minister] Vladimir Putin that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century,"" McDonald said. ""This gesture re-establishes Russia's greatness and Russia's legitimacy as a world player.""
Last week, the White House proposed a $1 billion aid package to Georgia. The Bush Administration stated that much of these funds will go to aiding humanitarian needs and the resettlement of displaced families, while the rest of funds will go toward repairing infrastructure. The aid will most likely strengthen the national standing of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.
While the White House proposed this aid package and sent Vice President Dick Cheney to Georgia last week, according to The New York Times, the Bush Administration is not trying to directly impose sanctions upon Russia, which could cause a direct conflict between the two countries.
""In the Russian press itself [there is] this notion that U.S. interests are behind what happened in Georgia,"" Kaiser said.
According to Schamiloglu, the conflict in Georgia also has severe implications to the global oil market, as a major oil pipeline designed to supply Europe runs through the country. The pipeline connects the Caspian Sea region, one of the world's richest oil fields, with Eastern Europe, while avoiding passing through Russia or Iran. The stability of Georgia, unified with the separatist states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, could be seen as key to Western influence over this pipeline.
""Suddenly, Russia is enforcing a monopoly over gas and pipeline routes from the Caspian region to Europe,"" Schamiloglu said. ""That probably explains why Dick Cheney was getting involved.
