Caucasus: South Ossetia

Semi-active conflict - last outbreak August 2008. Conflict between Russian and Georgian Orthodox cultures, with geopolitical undertones.
 
Clashes between Ossetians and Georgia in 1989, on the decline of USSR, became a war in 1991-92, with periodic skirmishes since then. Escalation in August 2008 after gradual infiltration of South Ossetia by Russia, followed by an inept attempt to re-take the province by Georgia. 2,500 dead, over 17 years.
 
Mountainous Ossetia seeks independence from Georgia and reunion with North Ossetia, a part of Russia. This is opposed by Georgia, though regional autonomy has been offered. South Ossetia has become a haven for outlaws and smugglers. Ossetians are originally descended from Central Asian Alan (Sarmatian) tribes. Ossetia is now under de facto Russian control.
 
This conflict is affected by geopolitical issues such as the eastward extension of NATO to Russia's borders (Ukrainian and Georgian membership of NATO is the touchy issue here), and the wish by Russia to restore its world influence, secure its borders and reduce the rate of decrease of its population,

LINKS:

BBC country profiles
Wikipedia: South Ossetia
Global Security: South Ossetia
The Guardian: Q&A - South Ossetia