The Russians may have won the military battle, but the Georgians won the war itself on the international media front. In the wake of the armed conflict over South Ossetia, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili effectively managed to get his message across to the world that Georgia was a victim of Russian aggression. Russia’s leaders then provided their own riposte; however, this proved too little too late. Why has Russia been so inept in presenting its case before Western audiences?
As international criticism of Russia’s actions in the Caucasus mounts, the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will play the role of the “last bulwark” for Moscow in terms of gaining at least some international support for its moves against the Georgian government.
This past summer, the government began investigating the situation of Russia’s jet fuel market, stating its concern with skyrocketing prices that ultimately result in growing ticket prices for domestic flights. AirUnion was the inflation’s first victim, as the company had to suspend regular flights after its jet fuel supply was cut off due to debt. While the airline’s poor management, and not the market’s fuel monopoly, was seen as the catalyst of the crisis, if fuel costs are not brought under control soon, other companies will follow suit.
Diplomatic perturbations spurred by the recent crisis in South Ossetia have brought Russia to the verge of global isolation, nearly canceling all of Russia’s past efforts to build understanding and rapport with the West. But if Russia’s international bridges were immediately shuttered by an acute crisis, how sturdy were they to begin with?
This tumultuous summer had it all—diplomatic tensions, a war, and yet another scandal between the government and a major corporation. All of this took a heavy toll on foreign investment in the country, as key economic indicators plummeted, making room for what seems like a full-scale financial demise of an otherwise steadily growing economy. But experts are confident that Russia can easily rebound, downplaying the investment cuts as a factor that won’t impact long-term growth, but will rather set the scene for another massive economic surge.
Comment by Vladimir Frolov, Special to Russia Profile
September 2, 2008
In an interview given to the American Cable News Network (CNN) on August 28, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin openly accused the American administration of helping to stage the recent war in Georgia, in order to boost presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s rating among domestic voters. But instead of clarifying Russia’s reasons for having gotten involved in the conflict, Putin’s uninformed statements dealt another blow to the Russian leadership’s image.
Russia’s representatives made defiant statements throughout the day on Monday, as EU leaders held an emergency summit in Brussels to define the EU’s attitude toward Russia’s recognition of the separatist territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are legally still parts of Georgia. Instead of bowing to the EU’s pressure, Russia’s representatives suggest imposing an arms embargo on Georgia.
Comment by Alexander Arkhangelsky, Special to RIA Novosti
September 1, 2008
The recent standoff in South Ossetia and its consequences have taken their toll on Russia and its policies - the country is now being guided by the desire to compensate for its complexes in the face of the international community. But while at certain times such policy is allowable and even necessary, it is not what a country fraught with domestic problems truly needs right now.
With the Russian military operation to rebuff Mikheil Saakashvili’s attack on South Ossetia essentially over, and with Russia and the West engaged in a rhetorical fistfight over the conflict’s aftermath, time has come to sort through the debris of the international system that has demonstrated its ineffectiveness to deal with quarrels involving major powers. What kind of lessons will major powers draw for shaping the international system in the aftermath of the crisis? Are international institutions still relevant? What international body will emerge as the primary beneficiary of the post-conflict international environment?
Venezuela, Russia to hold joint naval drills in late November
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has announced the timeframe for the upcoming Russian-Venezuelan naval exercise, arranged in line with Russia's plans to extend its presence in international waters.
"Venezuela will hold joint naval exercises in the Caribbean in late November-early December," Chavez said Sunday on his weekly TV show, "Hello, President."
According to earlier media reports, Venezuelan navy officials said four Russian warships and a number of Venezuelan missile frigates, patrol boats, submarines and aircraft would take part in the joint drills on November 10-14.
The president dismissed criticism of the joint exercise with Russia by comparing it with the Southern Cross naval war games involving the Dutch, French and Brazilian navies, which are scheduled for November 2-14.
"Russia is a strategic partner of Venezuela and we will do everything possible ... to ensure the success of the upcoming exercise," Chavez said.
Chavez, an outspoken critic of Washington since coming to power nine years ago, has focused his foreign policy on bolstering ties with countries outside the U.S. sphere of influence.
In 2005-2006, Venezuela bought more than 50 combat helicopters, 24 Su-30MK2 fighters, 12 Tor-M1 air defense missile systems and 100,000 AK-103 rifles from Russia. Current arms contracts are worth about $4 billion, according to various sources.
Future deliveries may include Amur-class diesel submarines, Il-76MD military transport planes, Il-78 aerial tankers and air-defense missile systems.
High-quality and high-technology medical services are still inaccessible for the most vulnerable groups of the population – pensioners and senior citizens. More...
