RUSSIA OUT OF PEACEKEEPING? GEORGIA CHALLENGES THE STATUS QUO
By Khatuna Salukvadze (10/19/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: On October 11, the Georgian Parliament unanimously passed a resolution instructing the government to take measures for the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from the South Ossetian and Abkhazian conflict zones if their performance in South Ossetia and Abkhazia does not improve before February and July, 2006, respectively. Since the early 1990s, the Abkhazia and South Ossetia peace processes have been mediated by Russian peacekeepers deployed in both breakaway regions. In reality, the contingents stationed in the conflict zones have been used by Russia to consolidate its effective control over the regions rather than to fulfill the core functions stipulated by the peacekeeping mandate, such as preventing the militarization and the formation of illegal armed groups.FROM GROZNY TO NALCHIK: IS THE NORTH CAUCASUS HEADING BACK TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY?
By Murad Batal al-Shishani (10/19/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The “Domino Effect” was a key Russian concern over Chechen calls for independence, or separation as dubbed by Russia, since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing beginning of the Russo-Chechen war in 1994. Russia’s concern was that the Chechen model would be replicated all over the North Caucasus, causing Russia lose one of the strategic areas under its control. However, this did not happen.ENGAGING ISRAEL: BLESSING OR CURSE FOR MUSHARRAF?
By Naveed Ahmad (10/5/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Historically, the Muslims of South Asia stood for Palestine as far back as March 23, 1940, when they gathered in Lahore to demand the creation of an independent homeland of their own. It was no coincidence that after passing the Pakistan resolution, the Muslims of the subcontinent had also unanimously adopted a pledge on Palestine. The resolution recorded, “.HOW MIGHT IRAN’S NUCLEARIZATION AFFECT CENTRAL ASIA?
By Stephen Blank (10/5/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: It has long been known that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons capability to go with its enhanced missile and conventional programs, particularly naval and air programs. Most analyses of Iran’s policies, both nuclear and conventional have, not surprisingly, emphasized the Gulf as the priority strategic direction but the importance of Central Asia and the Caucasus should not be overlook, as Iran certainly does not. Since the advent of American bases there, Iran has gradually perceived them to be a threat and campaigned resolutely against any further expansion of the U.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.