By Stephen Blank (5/19/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Trubnikov, whose remit comprises Russian relations with CIS members and intelligence sharing and collaboration with Washington in the war on terrorism, strongly denounced U.S. military policy and presence in Central Asia even though he has frequently extolled the cooperation with Washington in the war against terrorism.By Pavel Baev (5/19/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: During Georgia’s time of troubles in the early 1990s, Ajaria remained an ‘island of stability’ that was secured primarily through tough bargaining with Tbilisi. Aslan Abashidze for more than a decade had every reason to be satisfied with the deal: he traded a symbolic recognition of Tbilisi’s sovereignty for a real and virtually unlimited control over his family domain. Backing from Moscow was always an important chip in this bargaining, so while the Georgian authorities demanded the withdrawal of all Russian military bases, Batumi warmly welcomed the Russian 12th military base and encouraged local young men to enlist for service there.By James Purcell Smith (5/5/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The U.S. war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan needed launching pads for air force, and supply bases in neighboring countries.By Richard Weitz (5/5/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Despite Uzbek efforts to convince their American interlocutors otherwise, Central Asian terrorists are seeking to undermine President Islam Karimov not because he is a U.S. ally, but because he opposes their efforts to establish a Taliban-like regime in the region’s most important country.The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst is a biweekly publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council, Washington DC., and the Institute for Security and Development Policy, Stockholm. For 15 years, the Analyst has brought cutting edge analysis of the region geared toward a practitioner audience.
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