Russia-Georgia Mini-Conflict's Diplomatic Scorecard: France Leads, U.S. Lags

Since the mini-conflict erupted on August 8, 2008 when Georgia launched a military operation in South Ossetia and Russia intervened militarily, France has played by far the most significant diplomatic role. In contrast, the United States has played little role. Both Britain and Germany have had a more active diplomatic role.

In the August 8-September 3 timeframe, the following leaders have had conversations or meetings with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy: 11 Contacts
8/10: 2 phone conversations
8/11: phone conversation
8/12: meeting
8/13: phone conversation
8/15: phone conversation
8/17: phone conversation
8/19: phone conversation
8/23: phone conversation
8/28: phone conversation
9/3: phone conversation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel: 3 Contacts
8/8: phone conversation
8/15: meeting
8/27: phone conversation

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown: 2 Contacts
8/22: phone conversation
8/30: phone conversation

Finnish President Tarja Halonen: 1 Contact
8/11: phone conversation

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi: 1 Contact
8/31: phone conversation

United States President George Bush: 1 Contact
8/9: phone conversation

Considering that the U.S. has much at stake in recent developments and key interests not far from the Caucasus e.g., ongoing efforts in Afghanistan, the present approach of all but outsourcing U.S. diplomacy to others makes very little sense. Europe, and particularly President Sarkozy, Chancellor Merkel, and Prime Minister Brown, deserve much credit for assuming a leadership role. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the optimal approach would entail the United States and European Union/France working in a collaborative multiparty diplomatic process aimed at realizing the terms of the Sarkozy ceasefire and then negotiating an agreed political process for resolving the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

In the meantime, the U.S. probably should not be surprised that its position on the diplomatic sidelines has yielded few benefits. This recent situation of a near total American absence from the diplomatic process highlights the urgent task of restoring American diplomatic capabilities and leadership that will face the next President.

It totally eludes me how this administration could fail to lead these negotiations. With the decision to continue forward with the missle defense system in Poland, it should seem that the U.S. would wish to work as closely with Russia on conflicts in the region, rather than pass condemnations from afar. Perhaps Putin was correct when he asserted that the U.S. instigated the confrontation to help John McCain's campaign, though there have been no direct benefits that I have seen.