7 September 2008 | by Emaun Kashfipour

Georgia launched an assault into its separatist territory of Southern Ossetia on August 8th that resulted in a counter-assault from Russia who claimed it was protecting the interests of its citizens in the area. The conflict encompassed much of Georgia and Russia later declared the independence of the separatist territories of Southern Ossetia and Abkhazia that raised concerns from the United States and the European Union.

The United States did not take military action against Russia so far, but expressed much displeasure in the occupation of Georgia. The White House issued many statements in regards to the Russian occupation and through NATO, stripped Russia of its benefits. Russia reacted by stopping its military support of NATO.

It seems that Cold War tactics have come into play yet again between the United States and Russia. Russia putting pressure on the US by occupying an ally, and the US by signing an agreement for an anti aircraft missile system with Poland that Russia claims can send a nuclear warhead into Russian soil.

A recent agreement, mediated by France, requires Russia out of Georgia, but Russia states that it is waiting for extra security measures to take place before it withdraws its troops.

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