South Ossetia is holding its first election since the Georgia-Russia skirmish of August ‘08. Elections always run a high risk of corruption and misfire but South Ossetia’s elections are extra special in that the only countries that recognize them as being valid are Russia and Nicaragua. As far as anyone else is concerned, South Ossetia belongs to Georgia.

Relations in the Caucasus region have remained strained since the fighting last summer. Russia is miffed that Georgia has been participating in month long NATO exercises hosted very near South Ossetia.  Becoming a member of NATO has been one of President Mikhail Saakashvili’s major goals. There is not a time table in place for when that might happen but the sooner, the better for Saakashvili’s suffering reputation. Opposition protests have been going on for months calling for Saakashvili’s resignation, due in large part to his bumbling of the battle with Russia. Saakashvili insists he won’t resign but undoubtedly, as someone who got his position via the protest-backed Rose Revolution, understands the potential power of his people.