On November 15, a crowd of 30,000 Georgian protestors took to the streets of Tbilisi to protest Russian policies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In 2008, Russia invaded and occupied these regions, which account for about 20 percent of Georgia’s territory. Russia is one of only four nations that recognize the “sovereignty” of these regions.
Moscow has recently furthered separatist aspirations by proposing alliance and integration agreements with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The agreements would create joint Russian and Abkhazian military forces and further integrate the regions into Russia. According to the Heritage Foundation’s Luke Coffey,
These agreements are the first step in a process of Russian annexation of both breakaway regions—both of which are still internationally recognized to be part of Georgia. Considering Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, Georgians have a cause for concern.
To promote stability in the region, the U.S. and its NATO allies need to continually reinforce the idea among Georgian officials that Georgia’s future lies in the transatlantic community, not with Russia. NATO did not grant Membership Action Plan status to Georgia at its 2014 Wales Summit, despite the organization’s promise in 2008 to eventually grant membership to Georgia. Although some NATO members fear that such a move would spark a conflict with Russia over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia has committed to a non–use-of-force pledge in those regions. Additionally, Georgian officials have made it clear that membership would not include the breakaway regions until the matter is resolved peacefully with Russia.
Georgia has shown its allegiance to NATO by contributing troops to Iraq and Afghanistan missions and has sent peacekeepers to the Balkans and the Central African Republic. Georgia currently has 755 troops participating in the NATO International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.
Georgia would be an asset to NATO and an example for other NATO members. It is in U.S. interests to offer strong leadership in support of Georgia’s eventual membership in NATO.
