You remember that Ray Charles song Georgia on my mind? The reason why I thought of this music is because of the recent war between the Federal Republic of Georgia and Russia. I remember President George Bush once telling the Georgians in 2005 that he will stand with them in moments that they need the United States. But as I review those words of George Bush now, I see the emptiness and hollowness in that 2005 promise especially considering that the West seemed to have looked the other way as Russia had a field day in it’s bombardment of Georgia . This brings me to the overall Russian influence and control in and around the former Soviet States. One thing is certain of the relationship between the former Soviet States and Russia. They both have deep suspicion and clandestine animosity between each other. The former Soviet States do not trust any move from Moscow. Be it a simple deal about an oil pipeline, NATO issue or even simple trade issue with Moscow. They have deep fear that Moscow is coming back again to re colonize them. This constant fear and constant schism is the back bone of all former Soviet States relationship with our current day Russia. and today’s Russia on its part sometimes seems not to acknowledge that the good old days of Russian glory and power is over. That the Russian empire is now a footnote of history .That what is now left of Russia is nothing but a footnote of it’s former self. She still keeps a good eye on almost all spheres of life of the former soviet states. The issue isn't so much Georgia or South Ossetia but Russia's long-term security. Due to their long history of invasions the Russians prefer to have control of their border regions and indeed have been intervening in the Trans-Caucasus since the time of Peter the Great. This is a warning to any of the former Soviet republics of what happens when you get too close to the west and Russia feels its power is becoming threatened. No one will disprove the fact that the Russians have taken care of their business in Georgia. The Georgians on the other hand have now realized that they are by themselves. If they have not, may be now they have come to that realization. That no one can come to their rescue at least not militarily. If they are too eager to wriggle from the historical grips of Moscow, they should look deep into themselves and think of the direction they want to take their country to. President Saakashvili and his fellow countrymen and women should be aware of some possibilities and realities. Among this reality is that the United States will not in any way commit an already overstretch US military to any kind of duel with Russia. That what they will keep getting as a kind of support from the west will be nothing but verbal support and may be military advisers. I believe that no one can help Georgia but Georgia herself. As Ray Charles sang in his song; “Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in peaceful dreams I see The road leads back to you... I still Keep Georgia on my mind". Kennedy Kelechi Halams Halams is a faculty of International Business at Baker College Flint Michigan.
You remember that Ray Charles song Georgia on my mind? The reason why I thought of this music is because of the recent war between the Federal Republic of Georgia and Russia. I remember President George Bush once telling the Georgians in 2005 that he will stand with them in moments that they need the United States. But as I review those words of George Bush now, I see the emptiness and hollowness in that 2005 promise especially considering that the West seemed to have looked the other way as Russia had a field day in it’s bombardment of Georgia . This brings me to the overall Russian influence and control in and around the former Soviet States. One thing is certain of the relationship between the former Soviet States and Russia. They both have deep suspicion and clandestine animosity between each other. The former Soviet States do not trust any move from Moscow. Be it a simple deal about an oil pipeline, Nato issue or even simple trade issue with Moscow. They have deep fear that Moscow is coming back again to re colonize them. This constant fear and constant schism is the back bone of all former Soviet States relationship with our current day Russia. and today’s Russia on its part sometimes seems not to acknowledge that the good old days of Russian glory and power is over. That the Russian empire is now a footnote of history .That what is now left of Russia is nothing but a footnote of it’s former self. She still keeps a good eye on almost all spheres of life of the former soviet states. The issue isn't so much Georgia or South Ossetia but Russia's long-term security. Due to their long history of invasions the Russians prefer to have control of their border regions and indeed have been intervening in the Trans-Caucasus since the time of Peter the Great. This is a warning to any of the former Soviet republics of what happens when you get too close to the west and Russia feels its power is becoming threatened. No one will disprove the fact that the Russians have taken care of their business in Georgia. The Georgians on the other hand have now realized that they are by themselves. If they have not, may be now they have come to that realization. That no one can come to their rescue at least not militarily. If they are too eager to wriggle from the historical grips of Moscow, they should look deep into themselves and think of the direction they want to take their country to. President Saakashvili and his fellow countrymen and women should be aware of some possibilities and realities. Among this reality is that the United States will not in any way commit an already overstretch US military to any kind of duel with Russia. That what they will keep getting as a kind of support from the west will be nothing but verbal support and may be military advisers. I believe that no one can help Georgia but Georgia herself. As Ray Charles sang in his song; “Other arms reach out to me Other eyes smile tenderly Still in peaceful dreams I see The road leads back to you... I still Keep Georgia on my mind". Kennedy Kelechi Halams Halams is a faculty of International Business at Baker College Flint Michigan.
Time will tell who was to blame here but it looks like Georgia was not blameless according to this article in Sunday's Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-warprep17-2008aug17,0,3594295.story
