S.Ossetia: Russia strikes back to punish its naughty kids?

S. Ossetia holds independence vote Despite NATO, South Ossetia Holds Independence Referendum S. Ossetia says thwarts attempt to blow up local mobile operator A look at South Ossetia, the breakaway region in Georgia which is ...

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OK. similarly to Transnistria, who overwhelmingly voted for independence from Moldova, now South Ossetia said 'Yes' to independence too. The turnout was nearly 90%. The result was 80% in favour of independence. Despite all the international disapproval and Georgian pressure. Despite all the provocations. The people of South Ossetia have voiced their decision clearly. Just like the Transnistrians before them. Now it's the West's turn. Is it time for the West to grow up and realise the facts? Or rather, it will continue to play the well-known double standard? Should Kosovo define its own future, and should it gain independence if it decides so? The West says: YES. Should Ukraine orientate itself towards the West since the 'Orange Revolution' orders so? The West says: YES. But, should Transnistria split from Moldova after having decided so? Strangely, the West says: NO. And should South Ossetia gain independence from Georgia, since its people have decided so? Guess what?... NO!

Meanwhile, let's be realistic. Russia is at the bottom of all this, of course. It'd be stupid to think the opposite. The majority in Transnistria are ethnic Russians, as are the majority in Crimea (in Ukraine) and now South Ossetia. And while Russia was a boxing bag in the early 90's, allowing everyone and especially US to cut pieces from its geopolitical 'body' with relative ease, now Russia is starting to recover from the knock-down and is re-gaining its positions and influence. Let's only mention that the whole Europe is now totally dependant on the Russian energy resources, and will get even more dependent in the future (example: the Baltic gas pipeline). So, yes: Russia wants to disturb those of its former satellites who were stupid enough to spit into Russia's face, a silly geopolitical mistake that they did so hastily because of their political immaturity - and now Russia is hitting back. And even though the recent referendums in Transnistria and South Ossetia are highly unlikely to have any immediate effect, they'll have some really serious consequences in the long-term perspective...