What the Russian-Georgian war changed in the region?
The Russian-Georgian War of August 2008 changed the balance of power in South Caucasia. Russia essentially used the opportunity offered by Saakashvili’s attack on South Ossetia to show that it was ready to use force to re-establish its dominant position in the Near Abroad, at least when actively threatened. The Russian military effort, however, was somewhat clumsy, and Moscow is well aware of its limited military resources and the need for reform. But what is clear is that no solution of either the Georgian conflicts or the Karabakh conflict will occur without Russian will and agreement. This does not mean that the South Caucasian republics cannot act and change the situation in a constructive way. Q: Do you think that Russia is really interested in the Karabakh settlement? A: Armenia demonstrated that it could attempt to improve relations with Turkey by first gaining Russian agreement for its initiative and then pursuing it. Russia may have been reluctant about that move, but eventual
