Parallels Between The Independence of Kosovo and That of South Ossetia

Contemporary events on the scene of international relations have always been difficult to analyze and evaluate upon their recent emergence, mostly because they often have hidden or unpredictable sides that only time can bring to the general attention. It is also difficult to notice in the beginning some aspects that might and in the long run prove crucial or become main factors in new developments.

Such events include transformations of states’ borders and the changes that they bring to the international system. All throughout history, modifications in the map of Europe – and not only – have led to shifts and long – term consequences. Perhaps the most evident aftermath to be observed today is in the effects of the end of the Cold War and the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Even by itself, the fact that the USSR has disintegrated is seen as a cornerstone, not only in the political but in the economic or cultural perspective also. And it is not a questionable fact where the effects are most evident and powerful – the area of Europe and, in general, the territories that were directly under Soviet influence have undergone the most drastic changes and are still prone to further ones.

Among the states that have, at least officially, passed from non-democratic to democratic regimes, from communism to capitalism, variations of structure and characteristics are numerous The region of the Balkans is among them and here there can be found successful and well as questionable outcomes of reforms.

A difficult case is the one of the former republic of Yugoslavia, today its parts are divided and have become several states which begin to grow and stabilize. Nevertheless, disagreements still exist, the biggest being the situation between Serbia and the newly declared independent state of Kosovo. The magnitude of the separation has culminated in February 2008.

It can be easily observed how important and influential this year would be for history that is to come. On the international arena and not only here but in various states, new, unpredicted or questioned events have taken place and will influence the whole world – the economic crisis, the election of Barak Obama as the next US President – and shape the future. In Eastern Europe too the proclaimed independence of Kosovo became only the beginning of a change not very noticeable at first.

In August 2008 a war began between Russia – that supported the separatist, self-proclaimed republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia – and the state of Georgia, from where the two regions wanted to “escape”. Paradoxically, though it did not recognize the right of Kosovo to proclaim its independence, Russia accepted it as a precedent for approving of the other two’s declarations.

Thus the present situation is not as stable as it has once been and these events have brought concern and alarm to many international actors and also among the general public opinion. There are many who see the fragility of the end of 2008 as a sign of future problems on a global scale and some have even warned against another war since the first conflicts in Kosovo

Besides this year’s proclamations in common in their recent history and a past history shaped by the same country – the USSR – the new states appear, even to a non – specialist, to be very different in their purposes, justifications and even possible future. What is most obvious is the major influence that the present – day Russia has had and is still going to exert on their trajectories.