STABILIZATION AND RESETTLEMENT IN POST-WAR SOUTH OSSETIA

Although it was only five days long, the war in South Ossetia was an example of great violence, and more significantly an indicator of diplomatic failure. Given the unresolved status of South Ossetia, this article studies the key agendas and activities of the major actors: 1) the Georgian government and the South Ossetia interim administration; 2) the Russian foreign ministry and the ministry of foreign relations of South Ossetia; and 3) the EU's monitoring mission in Georgia. The article offers a qualitative analysis of: (a) defamatory diplomatic public statements and activities, including passportization; (b) foreign direct investments; and (c) ideological media campaigns. The study contributes to the wider literature on de-facto states and conflict resolution by shedding light on the process of foreign policy making and lobbying by diplomatic and political actors. The findings are expected to emphasize the fragility of peace arrangements in the Caucasus and the sensitivity of the political environments in which there is no shared understanding among regional actors, who still have not come to live in peace.