Wojna rosyjsko-gruzińska i jej neozimnowojenne konsekwencje dla bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego

The author discusses the war between Russia and Georgia in August 2008. The analysis of the course and results of this latest Caucasus conflict shows that the main conclusions drawn have rather a political - strategic character, not operational - military. The Russian Army did not show anything that we had not known about earlier. However, political decisions that Russia followed make up an important and alarming lesson for whole Europe. This lesson indicates that there is a real threat of returning to the practice of ruthless combat use of armed forces in international relations. In recent years it seemed that this area of security has be-come a secondary problem, while energy, antiterrorist, information or even ecological security appeared primary. Yet, we have to recall the threat of armed aggression. This shows the necessity to put pressure not only on armed forces combat effectiveness but NATO decision cohesion and quick reaction capability. The war in Georgia proved that a small country has no chance to single handedly deal with an open armed conflict with an aggressive superpower. Therefore, it is in Europe's common interest to strengthen national armies and active engagement in implementing new NATO strategic doctrine, the priority of which is to ensure reaching fast consensus in reference to responding to a military threat. At the same time, it is of utmost importance to create a coherent NATO - EU security tandem. Establishing NATO - EU Council could be the first step in this direction.