The case is one of the will of the majority of Ossetes being respected, this together with the plainly historic assertion of that will by that majority . Right is plainly on the side of the south Ossetians. Any resolution will have to be made in the context of these realities.

Michael, Sandy's Parish, Bermuda

Drew
International Law ? You have to be kidding ! West coast liberal thinking that the International courts or the UN will help out .
Get real !

Barry

Barry DeWalt, Arlington Texas, USA

It's just so confusing to me to see how easily we forget how wars occur. Strategic Alliances, economic stability, freedom, independence, and more at the cost of thousands of lives destroyed, chaos, panic, and terror, not to mention all the death that it involves. Is it really worth it?

David, Pta Arenas, Chile

Karen - You think freedom and liberty are reserved for you and easily denied all others who should be content with totalitarianism? This conflict has been brewing for decades and the root of it is the desire for liberty -not the US. Before condemning others to that life, live it yourself first.

Kate, Kansas City, MO, USA

I am embarrassed by my government. The CIA and big business; ie OIL have reaked havoc across the world in the guise of freedom. Please do not judge all americans because of the idiots and greedy who have control. We are truly good people, but easily duped by liers and misiformation peddlers.

Karen, Cleveland, US

Dear Michael, Tbilisi, Georgia

And you wanna say that it's a reason to commit a genocide against them?
Funny guy! And I think that crazy Georgian President is hiding behind this message!
We love Georgians and Ossetians.
More than 1 million Georgians live in Russia and they HATE Saakashvili

Rowan, Moscow, Russia

Thank you for a good insight into the history of the subject but I believe this isn't the whole story. Russia cares about their geopolotical interests much more than about Ossetians. It's been a huge mistake of UNO to give them a status of peackeepers. Georgia's wish to join NATO is why they care.

Svitlana, london,

A tiny small country like Georgia chosen as an arena for fight of two goliats: US and Russia. Who can be a winner?

Mary, New-york, US

South Ossetia never been existed before Stalin. Show me one more country/nation living on both sides of huge ridge like Caucasus. Ossetians was started populating the southern side only in 17th-18th centuries. That is why Georgia doesn't agree with foundation of independent country on its territory

Michael, Tbilisi, Georgia

To T.Cox, Liverpool, England
No, it was not. Stalin was born in Gori, it's a town in a step to the south of South Ossetian border. You still can see a monument of Stalin right in the centre of Gori.
But yes, the western people do know a lot about the Caucases and the Caucasians.

Jurate, Riga,

Very well written. In terms of cold hard tactics and logic, this is a masterstroke for Russia. Pinned down by conflicts in Iraq, worried about Iran, the US is not about to intervene militarily, NATO countries are barely able to field the required troops in Afghanistan.

David, Toronto, Canada

I didn't expect to read a trurth report in Western press. At the same time I can say that if Russia will be punished (in any way) by EU and USA for right action in Georgia, the world will loose one of good partners. Nowdays it's not possible to stay along, so Russia can sign pacts with China or Iran

Andy, Moscow, Russia

Maybe certain elements of the Russian leadership yearn for the old days. Was not Tiblisi Georgia , the birthplace of Uncle Joe?

T. Cox, Liverpool, England

I say nuke em all!!

Georgia,Russia,Israel,Palistine,iran,iraq

That will sort out the worlds conflicts.No more nations to create wars.In fact if we start world war 3 then no more global warming!!! It's only the human infestation that is wrecking this planet.

Mike, Rushden, UK

"I can't see how you people can blame USA of hypocrisy (not without truth) and can't see russian one..." - Maciej, Gliwice, Poland

Maciej, some still forlornly hope that world opinion can influence the US for the better. Nobody ever hoped that way about Russia.

Alan, Sydney, Australia

Has it ever occured that a region can secede without a war? Doesn't seem to be possible, and even then it rarely works.
What is the international law covering secession??
I would think a vote of 2/3 should do it.

Drew, Oakland, CA, USA

As much as I see faults with the Georgian leaders for instigating this mess I hold the Super Power up north also partially responsible. As long as the Russians are willing to be led by a former KGB agent who still has visions of greatness I see no peace with their neighbors. No free press no criticism

Tariku, Alexandria, VA

And of course there's absolutely no doubt that if Ossetia lied far from gaspipies and other fuel transit lines russian reaction would be absloutely the same and Russians have no ulterior motive... I can't see how you people can blame USA of hypocrisy (not without truth) and can't see russian one...

Maciej, Gliwice, Poland

Thank you for truthful article!

Denis, Voronezh, Russia

Kamil... and Georgia was not Soviet territory at all until the Soviets snatched it up...

Sergey, If Russia now wants to invade Georgia, it would not be much of an issue, provided they clear the mountains first. It is a manpower issue. Russia can put more guns on the ground.

Rodrigo, The Maldives,

What the Georgian refuse to accept? You have to recall first Georgian president Gamsakhurdia who abolished Ossete autonomy when there was no tension. He used to say they may be whoever but they live in Georgian state. It was in 1990. Since then mutual mistrust has been strong.

Farrukh, Moscow, Russia

Seems you have won more Russian friends, sir. They must really be a depressing lot - to think that killing is OK so that Nowheresville be kept in the 'Russian sphere of influence' at all costs! Isn't gun-boat diplomacy a thing of the past? Maybe Messrs. Ras Putin and Medvedev should be told.

pete laubscher, League City, TX, USA

The main problem is that Ossetia was devided by Stalin on two peaces in Soviet time. He gave that territory to his native country - Georgia. It's not Georgian territory at all !!!! All the boarders of that time between different part of USSR was made in Stalins cabinet without asking the people!

Kamil, Chelaybisnk, Russia

thank you very much prof.
many of us in Africa don't understand the myriad of issues that under girds this conflict. we watch quite a bit of CNN and being a US media it is very easy to have a soft spot for georgia and lebelling russia an aggressor. in any case our hearts goes to innocent victims

robert omondi, nairobi, kenya

"They were, however, much better armed than the Georgians – and still are today." - don't believe this has any bearing with reality, Georgian troops are very well trained and equipped these days.

Sergey, Odessa, Ukraine

Tahnk you professor Lieven and The Times for publishing an honest analysis of this situation. After Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Mbeke character assasination etc, it is nice to find some unbiased reporting on a geopolitical issue.

zoomy, Hitchin, UK

Really good. Respect you for this, The Times and Prof. Lieven. People shoud understand that Russia does NOT want to attack anyone for new provinces (ENOUGH by now) or politic influence. The aim is to save Ossetian's lives from genocide of SAAKASHHVILI REGIME!!!

Alexei, Zheleznodorozhny, Russia

Mr Lieven - great thanks to you for this informative and honest material. It is a great (and rare) fact in today press of seeing such independent point of view.
Hope this material won't be the only one in UK and/or US press.
It's great that there're people who don't believe russians are demons.

Evgeniy, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Mr Lieven - factual and informative thank you.
How ironic that these States of the old USSR are fighting for their independence - meanwhile a whole host of Western European countries are by the Politicians sleigh of hand, having their independence surrendered to the EU without a murmur.

Richard Garland, Greater Manchester,

The only part of the puzzle that appears missing to me is this: on which grounds tdoes Georgia believe that South Ossetia should remain part of Georgia if the South Ossetians feel so strongly about not being part of Geogia?

Charl, Cape Town, South Africa

That "radical nationalist" has reformed Georgia into a safe and prosperous neighbor to Russia's benefit. What this article failed to mention is the tactical scrutiny which Moscow has destabilized Georgia by encouraging these Ossetes (what about Ossete-Georgian refuges?) to lose their lives in battle

Terry, San Francisco,

I have 25% Georgian blood and 75% Russian. I called relatives in Tbilisi and asked what they think. They told: Saakashvilli has done biggest mistake. He started war with South Ossetia and now does not know what to do. Result: 2000 dead civilians in Chinvali and 30 000 refugees on Russian territory

Denis, Helsinki, Finland

Very good analysis. Only facts and no propaganda. Thank you!

Alex, Utrecht,

Finally something worth reading!

Tatiana, Berlin, Germany

Thank you for your wel and objectively written piece, Mr. Lieven. A nice change from all the junk coming from the states and partly the UK.

Elena, Moscow, Russia