ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly overviews the Georgian-South Ossetian peacemaking process, the conflict it addresses, and nested related conflicts. It offers a map of the context, points out key features of the geography, and also shares insights on the cultures and communities of people living in the South Caucasus region, with a focus on the Georgian-South Ossetian relationship. The chapter explains the roots and key issues of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, describing different ways that Georgians and South Ossetians see these issues. A brief history of the escalation of conflict into violence illustrates a series of escalations in the place of missed opportunities for de-escalation. The second part of the chapter presents the Point of View process, a Georgian-South Ossetian peacemaking process that has engaged on issues of interest to both Georgian and South Ossetian communities. This incremental process has addressed pragmatic humanitarian issues that have improved life for those living in the conflict-affected communities.
