Russia-Georgia Conflict:

Causes, Consequences and Outlooks

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty

 to study mathematics and philosophy".

John Adams,

President of the USA in 1797-1801

The Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) is announcing the establishment of the Russia-Georgia Conflict Research Center through support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation initial funding.

The need for such a research body was vividly demonstrated during the very first days of the Russian hostilities in Georgia in August 2008 manifested by the ongoing Russian military incursion into the country for we witnessed the serious lack of deeper knowledge and understanding of Russian politics among the Georgian academia, and civil society in general.  The informational flow, academic discourse, public discussions, and media coverage during and in the aftermath of the August crisis also demonstrated that there is no single entity in Georgia that is engaged in comprehensive Russia study in general and Russian politics in particular.

It has become evident that there is a pressing need for regular research and assessment of the Russia-Georgia relationships through a permanent academic group that will closely monitor, review and evaluate Russia-Georgia conflict in a regular and comprehensive manner taking into account its origins, implications and international context.

Stemming from the needs to fill this gap and to expand studies on contemporary Russian domestic politics and its behavior in the former Soviet zone the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) has recently established the Russia-Georgia Conflict Research Center. The Center will extend the existing knowledge on the subject through a comprehensible, all-inclusive analysis of Russia-Georgia conflict and relations since 1992, i.e. since formal independence of both countries with particular emphasis on issues pertinent to the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as ethnic grievances in Russia itself. Additionally, GIPA Research Center will be studying the retreat of democracy and the rule of law in Russia over the recent years along with the effects these developments had on Russia’s relations with neighbors.

Through its studies the Russia-Georgia Conflict Research Center will assist policymakers, scholars and journalists in their activities - decision-making, academic discussions and comments as well as teaching and media coverage. The Center will also become an important resource for finding sustainable security and stability for Georgia's further development into a strong liberal democracy.