Georgia-Russia Clash: A ‘Bump’ or ‘Fork’ in Road?

Stephen Sestanovich, CFR senior fellow for Russian and Eurasian studies, says the fighting between Georgia and Russia over the Georgian province of South Ossetia is more a “war” than a “conflict,” and could have far-reaching consequences. He says that it may well decide how the West regards Russia in the future. The United States and Europe must decide “ whether this now puts Russia in a different category, a kind of international disturber or outlaw that can’t be treated as a partner in the way that Western countries have wanted to since the end of the Cold War,” Sestanovich says.