When reading this article I realized the many issues of concern surrounding Russia's relationship with Georgia. Russia has continued to increase its military presence in Abkhazia. Russia has also threaten Georgia with a form of coercive diplomacy, compelling Georgia to stand down or they will take "retaliatory measures." Georgia continues to argue the allegations of their potential attacks on Russia are false. Still the military build up has become another form of tension between Russia and the West. Both Nato and the European Union, as well as the UNited States National security Council have expressed their concern. The question to how much of a threat Russia will be to the West and how European countries will react remains at large.
Tensions between Russia and Georgia of late have increased significantly. The author makes specific references to a Georgian spy plane shot down by a Russian plane and Georgia's attempts to block Russian entry into the World Trade Organization. Although Russia has claimed to have "hard evidence" rebel Abkhazians shot down Georgia's spy plane, Georgia remains skeptical. Russia may see this as an act of aggression considering Russia lifted its economic sanction against Russia earlier this month. If both of these tensions continue to persist, international engagement will be necessary. NATO and the European Union's words against Russia's actions are all for now but may be followed with increased troops. Russia's grievances toward the West is an issue of concern and could make this intervention messy.
Interestingly US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has said the dispute between the two countries should be "worked out state-to-state," yet has openly announced "Our commitment to Georgia and to its territorial integrity is firm." It seems the United States has shown interest in the conflict, believing Russian annexation of Abkhazia would be unacceptable. If Russia continues to increase its military presence and attempts the annexation i believe US involvement will be a certainty. US is known to be extremely militaristic, with war being an appealing solution to many of its conflicts. IT will be interesting to see how the presidential candidates address this issue while campaigning for the upcoming elections. If war is an outcome to this security dilemma, US would have more support than the Iraq war as other countries from Europe have expressed extreme concern, specifically Britain, France, and Germany
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