While I was on holiday busy with private matters, a new war began on the outskirts of Europe. I must admit the Caucasus is unknown territory to me. Until now, I knew only two things about Georgia: that Joseph Stalin was born there, and that it hosts an important oil pipeline.

According to international law, it is illegal to attack another sovereign country without the permission of the United Nations Security Council. I’m no friend of this law since it has proven a protection for tyrant dictators. Therefore, I would much rather see the UN replaced by an international organization for democracies. However, any such organization would not help the current situation in the Caucasus. Even if Russia’s democracy is restricted and authoritarian, I don’t think it’s bad enough to be labelled a dictatorship. And to my knowledge, Georgia is a democracy.

In the short run, negotiating a truce is the only way forward. Then, once the guns are silent, the international community must help Russia and Georgia agree on permanent borders.

(Map copied from the Guardian. Find it and accompanying information here.)