DE-ESCALATION IN ADJARA: SUCCESS FOR GEORGIA’S NEW GOVERNMENT
By Jaba Devdariani (3/24/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The authoritarian leader of the Autonomous republic of Ajaria, Aslan Abashidze, opposed the November 2003 ‘Revolution of Roses’ which brought Mikheil Saakashvili to power. Abashidze stepped up repression against his opponents in the autonomous region, and created obstacles to January 4 presidential elections. He was seen as courting Russia for support against Tbilisi following his several visits to Moscow, including consultations with the secessionist governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.IMPLICATIONS OF IRAN’S MAJLIS ELECTIONS ON TEHRAN’S FOREIGN POLICIES
By Christopher Boucek (3/10/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Prior to the elections, close to 2,500 reform candidates, including many of currently serving in the Majlis that garnered the greatest number of votes four years ago, were disqualified. In all, over 80 currently serving MPs were barred from participating. First Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Khatami—the president’s brother and leader of the Participation Front—as well as Behzad Nabavi, Mohsen Mirdamadi, and Mohsen Armin, among many others, were disqualified by the hard-line Guardian Council.TURKISH GAS IMPORT CUTBACKS THREATEN TURKMEN GAS EXPORT
By Hooman Peimani (3/10/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Turkey and Iran signed a 25-year gas deal in 1996 to supply Turkey with up to 10 billion cubic metres of Iranian gas annually. The $30 billion deal was a major breakthrough for Iran. It has since remained the only significant export contract for a country that has the world’s second largest gas resources, but whose share of international exports is about 0.ABASHIDZE’S MULTIFACETED RUSSIAN LINKS AND AJARIA’S AUTONOMY
By Giorgi Vashakidze (3/10/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Having been elected president of Georgia in January 2004 election, President Mikheil Saakashvili has a rare opportunity to implement democratic values and embark on proposals for the sustainable development of the country. One of his greatest challenges is to insure the country’s stability and society’s expectation after the revolution of November 2003. The election campaign was based on the promises of Georgia’s territorial restoration and fighting against deep-rooted corruption.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.