(Part of the) Abstract

Caucasia is a geographical- ethnic region spread from the Caspian Sea (in the East) to the Black Sea (in the West) that lies between south of the Russian Federation, north-west of Iran and south-east of Turkey.   

The Caucasian region that once was a part of the USSR throughout the Cold War, gained a particular importance in the world geopolitics of post Cold War after its (the USSR) collapse in 1991 and emergence of the three independent countries, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia republics. Hence, a broad perspective of conflict to cooperation appeared in between the three south Caucasian countries in presence of the regional players like Russian, Iran, Turkey and also the ultra regional powers.       

One dare say that the most important international event after the September 11^th and Taliban and Saddam overthrown was the south Caucasian crisis that finally led to a limited war between Russia and Georgia. 

The crisis can be investigated from different dimensions. Patrick Morgan in his book, “The Theories and Solutions in International Politics” has introduced five analysis levels in international relations domain. These levels include:

1. Personal level analysis,

2. Decision making institutions level analysis

3. National level analysis

4. Regional level analysis

5. International level analysis

In this paper, we try to survey the south Ossetia crises from the regional analysis level. At first, we take into account the geopolitical position of the Georgia in south Caucasian region and background of the crises in south Ossetia. Then we analyze the influential factors in outbreak of war.