current+issues+JOY

[[image:http://www.topnews.in/files/Russia_Georgia.jpg width="405" height="284"]]
// http://www.topnews.in/files/Russia_Georgia.jpg // ====The current conflict between Georgia and Russia have been going on since 2008. This conflict eventually led to the breakout of the South Ossetia War that involved both Russia and Georgia. The conflict began when South Ossetia along with Abkhazia wished for Russia, along with other nations, to recognize them as nations independent of Georgia (the nation that they broke apart from).==== //http://www.stratfor.com/mmf/113224// ====A smaller conflict occurred in Abkhazian airspace where an unmanned aircraft was shot down for violating Abkhazian airspace. This brought about disagreements that eventually led to the UN stating that Russian jets shot down the unmanned aircraft. This was just one of many small incidents leading up to the war.====

//http://www.links999.net/robotics/robots/images/UAV-Hellfire-Missile.jpg// ====Later in 2008, Georgia attempted to reclaim South Ossetia using military force. Russia retaliated by sending its own troops to defend South Ossetia and attack Georgia along with South Ossetian troops. The conflict went on for some time until the EU and United States intervened. A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon (although reluctantly), and Georgia agreed to never attack Abkhazian or South Ossetia again. Although, a ceasefire and agreement was made, tensions between Georgia and Russia still remained. Tensions are still high. Just this August, Russia accused Georgia "of trying to stoke violence in South Ossetia." Russia promises to do whatever possible in order to allow South Ossetia to maintain its status as an independent nation.====

//http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/world/europe/02georgia.html



Beslan is an industrial town of 30,000 that is located in North Ossetia in southern Russia. On September 1, 2004, more than 12,000 people were taken as hostage in a school in Beslan Russia. A group of heavily-armed terrorists stormed the secondary school during a ceremony held to mark the first day of the new school year. One dead included a father who was taking his son to school and had attempted to resist the terrorists. The attackers, Muslim separatists who included Arab mercenaries, held their captive in the school gym. They demanded a Russia withdrawal of the troops from Chechnya. They threatened to blow up the school if the Russian government does not consent to their demands. For three days, the terrorists refused to allow food and water into the school. At least, 326 people including 156 children had been killed and more than 700 had been wounded. Finally, 26 of the terrorists were killed, however, some have escaped.

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