Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.

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In The Media

Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.

Russia’s use of force against Georgia – a close ally of the U.S. in a strategic region for oil and gas transport – is the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall that Russian forces have violated another country’s sovereignty and international law. A resurgent Russia is testing the will of the international community to hold it responsible for its actions.

By Michael McFaul

Published on Aug 11, 2008

Source: NPR's Day to Day

The Russia-Georgia conflict is important to the U.S. beyond the strategic implications of destabilizing a region with important oil and gas pipelines. The more crucial issue for the U.S. is whether it and the international community will allow the violation of international law and the use of force by “big countries against little ones” to go unpunished.

Michael McFaul explains that the conflict between Russia and the West has been brewing for years, and is a manifestation of Prime Minister Putin’s insistence on repelling Western influence in the region; especially the expansion of NATO, which Georgia aims to join.

Click here to listen.

About the Author

Michael McFaul

Former Senior Associate

In addition to his role at Carnegie, McFaul is Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and associate professor of political science at Stanford University.

Recent Work

Article
Why a Democratic Russia Should Join NATO
- Леонид Гозман, Michael McFaul
Report
Russia at a Crossroads: Upcoming Elections Defining Issue
- Michael McFaul, Sanja Tatic

Foreign Policy North America United States Caucasus Russia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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Why Georgia-Russia Conflict Is Significant For U.S.