Not a Big Truck

Russia has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.  I wonder if this is in anyway payback for or at least justified by the American recognition of Kosovo. There are certainly differences that may justify one recognition and not the other (I am not familiar with Georgian internal politics).  But, as always, there are risks to interfering with the internal affairs of sovereign states.  It is difficult to make a credible argument against Russia when, from their perspective, we have supported illegitimate seccession efforts in other states.

Of course, there are times when such intervention in sovereign states seems entirely appropriate if not morally necessary. There are negative consequences for such intervention, however, even when such intervention is morally justified.