Topic: South Ossetia

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

What is Russia thinking on Syria? A brief guide

As the crisis in Syria collapses into what looks like full-blown civil war, Russia's response stems from a complicated mix of principle, self-interest, mistrust of Western motives, and differing perceptions of the situation.
3 ways the US can start an economic 'reset' with Russia

After Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his trip to Camp David for the G8 Summit this weekend, tensions between Russia and the US are running high. The United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. Washington needs a new reset that includes these three key components:
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 03/14
Photos of the Day: Photos of the Day 09/20
Gallery: Best and worst cities to live in

All Content

Why Russia is cutting off gas supplies to Belarus

Russia is again using gas as a foreign policy tool to alter behavior of its neighbors. It wants Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to join a new customs union championed by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
US places No. 85 -- behind Libya -- in Global Peace Index

The 2010 Global Peace Index is an attempt to quantify which countries are the most secure and the least violent. New Zealand is No. 1, Iraq is last, and the US is in the middle.
Burma tops 'worst of the worst' list of human rights violators

Libya, just elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council, also appears on Freedom House's 'Worst of the worst' list of human rights violators.
Top 10 military spending nations; oil countries post biggest jumps this decade

Despite a global recession, worldwide military spending increased in 2009 by its fastest pace since 2003, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Chad boosted spending by 663 percent. The US still has the biggest defense budget.
Gallery: Best and worst cities to live in
Georgia opposition leader slams Russian invasion hoax in interview

Nino Burdzhanadze told the Monitor she believes that Saakashvili ordered the Russian invasion hoax to sow anti-Russia panic and tar Georgia's opposition, which has been calling for his resignation for more than a year.
Russian invasion hoax has Georgia opposition in uproar

A fake TV report in Georgia that claimed a Russian invasion was in progress and that President Mikhael Saakashvili had been killed has drawn fury from citizens and the political opposition.
In Pictures: Aftermath
Opinion: Elections in Ukraine signal important turn on the road to democracy

Yanukovich, who sparked the Orange Revolution by allegedly rigging the 2004 elections, is leading the polls, but the US can still support the nascent democracy there.
Pragmatism spurs Russia and Georgia toward smoother relations

Signs of a thaw between Russia and Georgia include the reopening of one border post on the major Caucasus highway and a possible move to resume direct air links. Relations between Russia and Georgia behave been in a freeze since last year's war over breakaway Georgian territories.
Abkhazia insists independence from Georgia assured after disputed election

Pro-Russian incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh won a crushing first-round victory this weekend with 59.4 percent of the vote critics say was fraudulent.
Would Russia really use nuclear weapons against neighbors?

A new Russian doctrine – which says it can use nuclear weapons preemptively against small regional adversaries – is seen either as a sign of aggression or bluster to mask insecurity.
Georgia started war with Russia, says EU

Georgia was blamed for starting the 2008 war with Russia, a new EU report says. But it also says Russia then invaded South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Hugo Chávez deepens petroleum and military ties with Russia

Venezuelan leader recognizes Georgia breakaway states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia as added bonus during Moscow visit.
Was the Kremlin behind Twitter attack?

A Georgian blogger called Cyxymu says so. He may have been the target of a cyberattack on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites Thursday.
A year after war, Georgia and Russia point fingers over provocations

Tensions are spiking again, creating concerns about another conflict.
Did Russia pay high price for winning Georgia war?

It is responsible for economically troubled South Ossetia and may have spurred the European Union to seek alternative sources of energy.
The Monitor's View: Georgia's best defense against Russia: democracy

Moscow wants to make an example of its tiny neighbor in turmoil. If the Georgian president follows through on democratic reforms, he can prove Moscow wrong.
Biden seeks to reassure Georgia over Russia

On visit, the vice president pledged support for Georgia but also insisted that more war over separatist enclaves is not an option.
The Monitor's View: Georgia on Obama's mind?

It should be. The conflict that severely strained US-Russia ties still simmers – showing how hard it will be to repair relations.
Along the Russian-Georgian border, war games or prelude to war?

Although both countries claim the military exercises are simply for practice, some wonder if the old dispute is again flaring.
Exiled by Stalin, Ukraine's Tatars still struggling to recover

Many Tatars have returned to the Crimean Peninsula, but they continue fight for the return of their land and rights.
Spy vs. spy: Russia, incensed at NATO war games, kicks out two Canadian diplomats

Could this be the end of the brief thaw between Russia and NATO?
Seeing Red: Georgia blames Russia for 'mutiny'

Russia, furious over NATO war games set to begin Wednesday in Georgia, says recent turmoil is evidence of Saakashvili's instability. Armenia withdraws from war games.
Georgia accuses Russia of backing attempted coup

Officials in Tbilisi say a revolt at an Army base was part of an attempt to disrupt the government and had support from Russia.