RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY USES “KOSOVO PRECEDENT” FOR TACTICAL ADVANTAGE ON ABKHAZIA
By Jaba Devdariani (2/8/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: On January 30, President Vladimir Putin instructed Russia’s Foreign Minister to make sure that the solution on the status of Kosovo is “universal” in character, specifically noting that it should be applicable for the conflicts in the post-soviet space, including Abkhazia. Speaking at a press conference on January 31 he elaborated on the issue and did not exclude recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia, in case Kosovo is granted full independence, quoting of Turkey’s recognition of Northern Cyprus as a precedent. On January 31 the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on extension of the mandate of UN observer mission (UNOMIG) in Abkhazia.ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISE OF THE RUSSIAN GAS PRICE FOR ARMENIA
By Haroutiun Khachatrian (1/25/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Russia has been the only exporter of gas to Armenia over the last decade. Armenia, lacking hydrocarbon reserves, imports around 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas a year.CHRISTIAN PROSELYTISM IN KAZAKHSTAN
By Sebastien Peyrouse (1/25/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: There are one or even several Baptist and Adventist churches in every town of Kazakhstan. Pentecostal communities are also widespread, the most ubiquitous being the community of Evangelical Christians called “of the spirit of the apostles”, which has groups in Almaty and Karaganda. The Pentecostal movement is also well represented inside the Korean minority, in particular by the Sun Bok Ym church.RUSSIA’S ENERGY GAMBIT: IT WON’T WORK IN AZERBAIJAN
By Fariz Ismailzade (1/25/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Following the Georgian and Ukrainian velvet revolutions and the serious deterioration of Russia’s influence in these republics, Kremlin strategists have decided to increase the price of energy supplies to select former Soviet republics. This was done in an effort both to show to the former vassals where the real power center in their neighborhood lies, and to discourage their aspirations to join Western institutions such as NATO and the EU. The policy of using energy tools for geopolitical dominance over former Soviet republics began in earnest with President Putin’s presidency in 2000.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.