Russia advocates peacekeeping mission as tensions flare over Nagorno-Karabakh
By Armen Grigoryan
October 13th, 2015, The CACI Analyst
Tensions along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border have intensified from September 24, with skirmishes including the use of heavy artillery by both sides. Tensions have grown to a level where the danger of a large-scale confrontation should be seriously considered. Russia’s specific interests aggravate the situation, while the conflicting sides remain reluctant to seek a compromise solution. In this situation, Armenia and Azerbaijan are under increasing pressure to accept a Russia-led peacekeeping mission to the region.
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Russia
- Nagorno Karabakh conflict
- CSTO peacekeeping mission Nagorno Karabakh
- Armenia Tavush region
- Sergei Lavrov visit to Baku
- Russia Arms Expo
- Russian arms sales Azerbaijan
- Russian arms sales Armenia
- EEU trade
- EEU single currency
- OSCE office Baku closure
- Council of Europe human rights Azerbaijan
- War by accident
- Eastern Partnership
- South Caucasus
Kyrgyzstan: beyond democratic elections
By Erica Marat
October 12th, 2015, The CACI Analyst
On October 4, Kyrgyzstan held parliamentary elections marked by significant improvements in the country’s democratic development. The elections have demonstrated the viability of Kyrgyzstan’s 2010 constitution, which delegates more powers to the parliament and aims to prevent the emergence of autocratic political center. Fourteen political parties competed, and six were able to pass the national and regional thresholds to win seats.
Georgia and China strengthen economic ties
By Carolin Funke
October 6th, 2015, The CACI Analyst
In the absence of Euro-Atlantic guarantees for deeper economic and political integration, Georgia is further diversifying its cooperation with states outside the Western hemisphere. Over the last year, Georgia has particularly been strengthening ties with the People’s Republic of China, which seeks to increase its presence in the South Caucasus as part of its Silk Road Economic Belt. Due to declining Western involvement in the region, the U.S. and European Union have little reason to complain about Tbilisi’s new alignments. Nevertheless, anchoring China as a long-term player in the region will likely lead to a further decline of Western influence in Georgia.
- Georgia
- South Caucasus
- EuroAtlantic integration
- Silk Road Economic Belt
- SREB initiative
- Eastern Partnership
- Western influence in Georgia
- Chinese influence in Georgia
- Chinese influence in South Caucasus
- ChinaGeorgia investment
- ChinaGeorgia trade
- ChinaGeorgia FDIs
- Confucius Institute Georgia
- Georgian Chinese and Culture Center
- AA/DCFTA
- Tina Khidasheli
- NATO Bucharest Summit Declaration
- Georgia NATO relations
Kazakhstan's revival of the Silk Road Initiative: the challenges ahead
By Rafis Abazov
October 8th, 2015, The CACI Analyst
During his recent visit to China, Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a series of trade agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on 48 projects valued at about US$ 30 billion. The Minister of Economic Affairs, Yerbolat Dosayev, has called the Chinese market one of the “main markets for Kazakhstan.” The Kazakh government also reiterated its support for the Beijing-instigated “Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB)” initiative and agreed to continue working on several large infrastructure projects. But opinions of Kazakh experts on the SREB are divided. Some believe China’s financial backing will strengthen trade and lead to economic growth, but others are skeptical, claiming it would conflict with the U.S.´s “New Silk Road” initiative.
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