CHALLENGES AND DILEMMAS OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
By Daniel Linotte (9/19/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) is more than two years old. A recent report published by a Brussels think-tank indicates that a new ENP concept – labeled “ENP plus†– may emerge. In the “ENP-plus†context, the South Caucasus is losing weight from enlargement perspectives.
IRAN’S ENERGY DEALS WITH TURKEY AND AZERBAIJAN: THE MANY FACETS OF CASPIAN ENERGY POLITICS
By Stephen Blank (9/5/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The energy politics in and around the Caspian and Black Sea continue to become increasingly complex as more energy from those areas becomes available, demand continues to remain high, and more and more parties with ever more complex interests get into the game. Iran’s recent energy deals with Turkey and Azerbaijan epitomize the complexities involved in making sense of regional energy politics in this part of the world. The two recent Iranian deals with Turkey and the one with Azerbaijan highlight the relationships between the multiple interests and issues of the players.
RAMZAN KADYROV’S YOUNG GOVERNMENT: MEDIOCRITY REWARDED, AMBITION CURTAILED
By Kevin Daniel Leahy (9/5/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Chechnya’s pro-Moscow administration was recently subject to a sweeping government reshuffle. Like any other reshuffle, this one produced both winners and losers. While riding President Ramzan Kadyrov’s coat-tails has undoubtedly helped kick-start the careers of certain non-descript functionaries like the new Premier, Odes Baisultanov, other more zestful Kadyrovites are being frustrated by their leader’s inherent suspicion of political ambition per se.
IS JAPAN’S INTEREST IN CENTRAL ASIA STAGNATING?
By Amy King and Jacob Townsend (9/5/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Recent figures on Japan’s official development assistance demonstrate that its engagement with Central Asia could be waning. Despite great expectations over the past few years, aid has fallen dramatically as Japan appears somewhat disillusioned, realizing among other the difficulties in obtaining access to the region’s oil and gas. Japan will not vanish from Central Asia, but its involvement may stagnate rather than expand, focusing on uranium and minor development assistance.
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