Cookies?
Library Header Image
LSE Research Online LSE Library Services

The Russian case for military intervention in Georgia: international law, norms and political calculation

Allison, Roy (2009) The Russian case for military intervention in Georgia: international law, norms and political calculation. European Security, 18 (2). pp. 173-200. ISSN 0966-2839

Full text not available from this repository.
Identification Number: 10.1080/09662830903468734

Abstract

The Russian military intervention in Georgia in August 2008 has raised significant questions about Russian thinking and practice on the legitimate use of military force abroad, especially in relation to neighbour states. The arguments advanced by Russia to justify this campaign show how Russian interpretations of customary international law as well as norms related to the use of force have served as an instrument of state policy, rather than being rooted in any broader international consensus. The Russian discourse in this context about sovereignty, self-determination and the legitimacy of recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia as states appears similarly to be strongly influenced by political self-interest and Russian views about its entitlement within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region. Among Russian claims, Moscow's commitment to support its 'citizens' abroad has been particularly controversial. This article examines these issues and also the possibility that, through its justifications for waging war against Georgia, Russia is more broadly contesting the interpretation of certain international norms, that it regards as essentially constructed by Western states. Some potential implications of these legal and normative arguments for future Russian policy in the CIS region, including Ukraine, are also examined.

Item Type: Article
Official URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/europeansecurity
Additional Information: © 2009 Taylor & Francis
Divisions: International Relations
Subjects: D History General and Old World > DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics
J Political Science > JZ International relations
J Political Science > JX International law
Date Deposited: 13 May 2010 15:30
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2024 03:30
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/27982

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item