Russia, Georgia and the West: A new Cold War?

September 5, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following the brief Russian-Georgian war over South Ossetia, tensions between Russia and the West are at their highest since the collapse of the Soviet Union. What are the roots of the Russian-Georgian conflict and what are the implications? Does this signal the arrival of a new Cold War, as Soviet actions in Eastern Europe spurred the original cold war?

On Sept. 10, University of Florida experts in European politics and relations will participate in “Russia, Georgia, and the West: A new Cold War,” a panel discussion that will address this question and explore the future of the Caucasus and its impact on the international stage.

The panel discussion will be held at 7 p.m. in the Ocora at Pugh Hall, Buckman Drive. Panelists will include Paul D’Anieri, dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Stephen Craig, professor and chairman, political science; Stuart Finkel, assistant professor, history; Bryon Moraski, associate professor, political science; and Maria Bartlett, graduate student, political science. The discussion will be moderated by Amie Kreppel, director, Center for European Studies.The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences constitutes the intellectual core of the university. Its principal mission is to lead the academic quest to understand our place in the universe, and to help shape our society and environment.