ABSTRACT
This chapter will explore self-determination issues within the Caucasus region, by focusing on two Georgian breakaway provinces, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These two provinces have enjoyed de facto independence from Georgia, but have never been recognized as independent by any states other than Russia. In fact, most “Western” great powers (the United States and all European great powers) support Georgia, which they view as a strategic ally and a potential North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member. Russia, another great power, has had tense relations with Georgia for a number of years and thus supports South Ossetia and Abkhazia, by helping them militarily, politically, and financially. No other states were directly involved in this situation, most likely for fear of alienating Russia. The United Nations Security Council was never seized of this matter, despite warfare and human rights abuses, because one of the great powers (Russia) would most certainly exercise its veto power and prevent any collective action through the United Nations. South Ossetia and Abkhazia have not been able to secede from Georgia de jure, because they do not enjoy support from the majority of the great powers. In order to discuss these points more thoroughly, this chapter will describe the history of Georgia, before focusing on the issue of self-determination for South Ossetia and Abkhazia, finally addressing the great powers’ rule in the context of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
