Georgia is doing what few would: sending more troops to Iraq. Like many other members of the Coalition of the Willing, its initial troop commitment was small, around 800 and stayed clear of danger. Yet, Tbilisi is now deploying an additional 1,200 soldiers and this time, for a more high-profile and potentially dangerous mission, patrolling the Iraq/Iran border to prevent smuggling.

Georgian soldiers, however, seem tasked with an interesting job of all the possibilities in Iraq. In fact, it is highly coincidental considering smuggling and border issues are major security concerns in Georgia. Given the two Russian-supported breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as attempts to smuggle nuclear materials from those areas, Georgia’s new responsibilities in Iraq will play well on many fronts.

NATO membership is one of the primary goals of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, one that would officially realign Georgia and radically alter is geopolitical role. On top of that, excellent relations with the United States are crucial to a country sandwiched in a dangerous and unstable region and under constant threat by Russia. Deployment in Iraq also helps establish better military-military ties with the Unites States and also doubles as another training program for Georgians. Lastly, the skills and experience gained by Georgian soldiers performing the aforementioned duties will later greatly assist Georgian efforts to patrol its border with Abkhazia, S. Osettia and Russia as well as counter smuggling efforts.

As one Georgian soldier quoted in the RFERL article says “It’s a pity I’m going out to establish peace in Iraq, and not Abkhazia.” No reason to fret, he may very well be one of the first there when the time comes.

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