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The Lessons of the Russian-Georgian Conflict
Susan Allen Nan, ICAR Professor
Posted: 08/22/08

[Published, New York Times, August 22, 2008] “Cold Friends, Wrapped in Mink and Medals,” by Bill Keller (Week in Review, Aug. 17), says that Moscow and Beijing have forgotten to close the history books. Based on the American response to the fighting in Georgia, Washington should be added to that list.

Washington has asserted unconditional friendship with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, and snubbed Russia with the Poland missile treaty while labeling Russia an international pariah. Recent history shows that cold war thinking will secure neither people nor pipelines.

The only good that can come of the Georgian-Russian war is if we heed its lessons and adopt a radically different approach: recognize our shared interests in a stable Caucasus and build creative relationships of mutual security, firmly closing the cold war era.

Imagine a new multilateral arrangement of the sort that was unthinkable in Europe after World War II — first the Caucasus Community and eventually the Caucasus Union!

Susan Allen Nan
Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 17, 2008

The writer is an assistant professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University.

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ICAR News Network The Lessons of the Russian-Georgian Conflict Susan Allen Nan, ICAR Professor Posted: 08/22/08 [Published, New York Times, August 22, 2008] “Cold Friends, Wrapped in Mink and Medals,” by Bill Keller (Week in Review, Aug. 17), says that Moscow and Beijing have forgotten to close the history books. Based on the American response to the fighting in Georgia, Washington should be added to that list. Washington has asserted unconditional friendship with President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, and snubbed Russia with the Poland missile treaty while labeling Russia an international pariah. Recent history shows that cold war thinking will secure neither people nor pipelines. The only good that can come of the Georgian-Russian war is if we heed its lessons and adopt a radically different approach: recognize our shared interests in a stable Caucasus and build creative relationships of mutual security, firmly closing the cold war era. Imagine a new multilateral arrangement of the sort that was unthinkable in Europe after World War II — first the Caucasus Community and eventually the Caucasus Union! Susan Allen Nan Silver Spring, Md., Aug. 17, 2008 The writer is an assistant professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University. ### News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution