The Russo-Georgian War and Beyond
"I thought the Cold War was over, but then you realize what sort of person Putin is..."
"A new global conflict, one brought by how to live... One we need to stand by..."
"Looks like this is a new age..."
In the early days of August, just before the start of the Summer Olympics of 2008, the world became surprised when the tensions between Georgia and Russia exploded into a short war. The nature of the war was revolving around two potential sovereign states, that of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, who were wanting to seperate from Georgia. However, while the short war lasted with the regions being recognized by Russia and there being displaced people, the rammifications would be massive. Foreign policy experts of the Gore Administration noted that it was not just about two regions for Russia. It was about Russian influence. While Al Gore's influence in pushing for cleaner power and green energy had been reaching to Europe and beyond, he was being met with a road block and that was the large petrol power that was Russia. Containing large amounts of natural gas, coal and petroleum, it was little surprise that they would see Gore's call in reducing the usage as potentially problematic. Tensions between the Gore Administration and the Putin Administration had been growing over the early 2000s. The Russian leadership blamed U.S. officials for encouraging anti-Russian revolts during the
Rose Revolution in Georgia in 2003 and the
Orange Revolution in
Ukraine a year later that were seen by the Putin administration as intrusions into Russia's geographic sphere of interest. Further accusations about trying to get Central Asian natural gas and oil came... then matters went sideways with the Exxon-Mobil Scandal. This realization that the dangers of fossil fuel burning would lead to increased CO2 levels and its connection to climate change had redefined the conversations. Climate change denial shot down, further more with the discovery that coal knew even earlier, since the 60s. There was outrage, brought about by prior years of corporate scandals and the Gore Administration transformed that anger into change. For the most part, Russia did not pay much attention to this though perhaps they did show some concern in at least investigating opportunities for their own biofuel concerns.
However the end of the Russo-Georgian War and Russia's assertation would be met with retaliation. During and after the actual war, Russia engaged in cyberwarfare in trying to sway and convince the masses it was for liberation. Georgian government websites were brought down and pandemoium ensues weeks after the actual fighting stopped. The Gore Administraton condemned the attacks and led the world to do the same in trying to do so. The reactions were expected though the Americans did note that some nations, like Germany and France, were hesitant in blaming a guilty party. It was a reminder that Russia still had some prominent sway over in Europe and that Russia still saw the Americans as a threat. That NATO was a threat to Russia's goals of maintaining hegemony there. However, the Americans did get one surprising ally in regards to blaming hostilities onto Russia, and it was none other than Iran. Sure, Iran was subtle about it, but their inclusion was surprising. Since the end of the United States' sanctions against it and an introduction to the Western market, attitudes were shifting. More notably though, was Iran's growing cultural change. At the same time, the matter was one of pragmatism and of ambition. Iran had been growing more well-off and working on reforms. Their relations with the US had been growing more cordial over time. However, there was the ambitious side of Iran... one that sought to grow their influence over in the Middle East and Central Asia. It was a gamble to be sure though their growing bonds with the US was working and it was not as if they were in dire straits with Russia. Most of the western nations did not see reason to aggravate tensions with Russia, but the United States, it was a matter of not just principle, but of pragmatism. Who's to say this would stop Russia from whenever they may try next? That for them, if they went against Russia's wishes, would they instigate violence.
The Gore Administration, beyond leading the charge to condemn Russia, also used the opportunity to showcase the dangers of cyberwarfare and how the United States would need to be prepared to combat a new age where misinformation and propaganda would be weaponized. While the Pentagon and the various information organizations would begin undergoing reforms to update their cyber security, the Gore Administration would invite the heads of various companies and social media groups for future coordination and dealings on the matter. It was a surprising time of unity between everyone within the nation. Meanwhile abroad, tensions continue to sour between the Untied States and Russia though some of it was allievated in the Olympics. However, some questioning regarding Gore's past with a certain petrol mogul, Armand Hammer, was brought up during the need for discussions. It was a subtle jab and perhaps an attempt at hypocrisy at Gore, though Al Gore did not let it get to him. Instead, he reaffirmed his convictions and noted on his own changes and growth as a person, hoping to improve. He questioned whether Russia was doing the same, as Gore expressed concerns on Russia's own issues with political corruption, vast economic disparity and growing human rights violations and that a matter of priorities was in order to secure the safety and well-being of everyone. With this sincerity came the obvious counterattack; that for all of Russia flexing its muscles, it was a deeply flawed state who spent its time messing with their neighbors and trying to assert its hold on them rather than improving the quality of living and making light of the
Medvedev Doctrine. Additionally, the US had begun emphasizing growing relations with China during the Olympics. There was concerns about whether China would begin siding with Russia or the US, so the US pushed more, knowing they were at the disadvantage. Gore's commit to climate change rang true, plus, the administration's history had served it well and there was a signal for real hope and change outside of realpolitik.
However, the big questions were coming, and that was whether sanctions should be put on Russia, especially during such times. The Americans and EU debated this along with the Americans bringing along others for discussion, including some key players within the Middle East and even China. As for the Georgian refugees, Gore managed to broker a commitment with Prime Minister Harper of Canada to try and take in some of the Georgian refugees to settle if they so desired, a decision met well by their voters for the most part. The sanctions were not taken lightly and perhaps for the first time, it was under a different tone. The Gore Administration saw no future in fossil fuels, seeing them as a crutch or necessary evil that ought to be worked to be rid of. They did not have much interest if any regarding fossil fuels. The only interest they had was in lithium and it was mainly for the development of rechargable batteries in the hopes for vehicles while also expanding into other hroizons for renewable energies. For many nations, the USA remaining on this trend provided the possibility of a US being less keen on its economic neoimperial ways of being. For others, it meant dealing with them would be harder since they wanted different reasons and the same accusations wouldn't work.
This short-period war would change everything...
-------------------------------------------------
This was a sudden thing, but I had to do it. Also, you think Gore would lead to place sanctions on Russia or no?