Memorandum on U.S. Policy in Georgia-South Ossetia

Memorandum on U.S. Policy in Georgia South Ossetia

TO: Mike Pompeo, Nominee for Secretary of State

FROM: Nicole Levesque, American Foreign Policy Student

DATE: March 17, 2018

SUBJECT: U.S. Policy in Georgia-South Ossetia

SUMMARY

Georgia and its South Ossetia region have been in conflict over South Ossetia’s desire for independence, which has been intensified by South Ossetia’s financial and military support from Russia, with which many of its residents identify.  The United States has not recognized the region as independent and has been sympathetic to Georgia’s fears about Russia’s intervention, but has not taken a strong policy stance on this issue.  The United States and NATO should determine a stance on this issue and act on it in order to contribute to an end to this conflict.  If the United States recognizes South Ossetia’s independence, it could become a tool to negotiate with Russia and encourage them to remove their troops from the region, thereby ending the military conflict between Georgia, South Ossetia, and Russia.

CONTEXT

The South Ossetia region has been contested internally and internationally, as the region initially declared itself independent from Georgia in 1992, shortly after Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union, and has since been seeking recognition and sovereignty with little progress.  In 2008, this region was the location for the war between Georgia and Russia, and is known for its linguistic, cultural, and historical ties to Russia, although the region is officially under Georgian power.  In 2017, South Ossetia held a referendum to elect a new president and to change its name to the State of Alania, in an effort to further distance itself from Georgia and its historic oppression and to further establish its desire for independence.  Russia’s continual intervention and involvement in this case has sparked international interest as spectators argue that Russia is using this conflict to expand its power and influence in the region by using its geographic proximity and cultural similarities to involve itself in this conflict.  The Republic of Georgia and many other countries argue that Russia’s goal is to take back control of its former territories, as Russia currently has troops in the South Ossetia region, and has been providing economic support through times of financial struggles.  The United States and NATO have yet to take significant steps to help settle this conflict, as both have failed to recognize South Ossetia’s independence and have been quick to criticize Russia but have not acted to assist the parties involved or to ameliorate the conflict. 

EVIDENCE

The conflict between Georgia, South Ossetia, and Russia is especially complicated due to the differences in perception between the parties.  Georgia argues that Russia is using its power to interfere in the conflict and take over the region to expand its influence, while South Ossetians have declared themselves more Russian than Georgian and have been fighting for independence from Georgian oppression and for international recognition of their sovereignty.  The United States and NATO have yet to take a strong stance on this issue or act towards a resolution for the parties involved, although this issue is central to the workings of NATO due to Russia’s involvement, and the United States has repeatedly expressed an interest in supporting other states in their democratic processes.  The results of South Ossetia’s 2017 referendum have been largely ignored although they set clear changes for the region, including a name change and a new president.  Russia continues to be one of the few countries that recognizes South Ossetia’s independence, and many citizens of the region have been issued Russian passports and identify as Russian.  The lack of wider international attention to this conflict has contributed to its long duration and little progression towards a resolution, and as troops continue to occupy the region and the conflict is further intensifying, it is time for the United States and the international community to make a move.

TASK AND IMPLEMENTATION

As the Trump Administration has been working to establish a better relationship with Russia and has struggled to implement sanctions against them, interfering with Russia’s efforts in South Ossetia in the form of military intervention would stand in direct contrast to the recently established amicable relationship.  A potentially more effective way of diffusing the tension in Georgia would be to publicly recognize the South Ossetia region’s self-proclaimed independence, which could alleviate the need for Russian troops.  A coordinated effort of international support for South Ossetian independence, potentially involving other members of NATO, would strengthen the region’s power and make it so that Russian troops would no longer be necessary, which would appease Georgians and could decrease the violence between the parties.  Regardless of Georgia’s position on the independence movement, South Ossetia considers themselves to be separate, and international recognition of this stance would be beneficial for Georgia as well if Russian troops vacate the region and an end is put to the violence.  Negotiation with Russia from a position of solidarity with the South Ossetian region has the potential to end the conflict, as Russian troops have militarized the conflict and made it more dangerous for Georgians than when the disagreement was exclusively between Georgia and South Ossetia. 

CLOSING STATEMENT

The lack of progress in ending the conflict between Georgia, the South Ossetia region, and Russia signals that the time is now to change the foreign policy strategy and inspire a true resolution.  Recognizing South Ossetia’s independence and negotiating with Russia to remove their troops from the region would benefit all parties by putting an end to the conflict, or at least significantly decreasing the violence.  By accepting the results of South Ossetia’s declaration of independence and 2017 referendum would grant freedom to a group of oppressed people, could remove Russian troops and influence from Georgia, and could increase stability in the region.