By Dmitry Shlapentokh
November 6, 2015, The CACI Analyst
Moscow has recently undertaken several actions aiming to increase Russia’s influence in the Middle East and Central Asia. On August 23-28, 2015, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes several members from Central Asia, undertook military exercises in Russia. Russian authorities stated that the maneuvers aimed to help CSTO members develop means to effectively move airborne forces and other troops to conflict zones, including in Central Asia. The exercises partly served to address a real concern on the part of Russia as well as other CSTO members over the rise of the terrorist organization calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS). However, Russia sees ISIS not only as a threat but also as an opportunity for both increasing Russia’s influence in Central Asia and providing a pretext for its venture in the Middle East.
By Emil Aslan Souleimanov
September 25th, 2015, The CACI Analyst
Russia’s recent military engagement in Syria and calls for the establishment of an international coalition against the terrorist group calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS) has produced renewed interest in Moscow’s policies toward the jihadist quasi-state. Against this background, while many have speculated about Moscow’s true intentions in the Middle East, relatively little attention has been paid to Moscow’s interests in Central Asia and the Caucasus in the context of its increasingly vocal rhetoric of fighting ISIS. Moscow is actively utilizing the risks and threats stemming from the ISIS to boost its clout in the near and far abroad.
CACI Analyst, September 2, 2015
Contents
Analytical Articles
A WEAKENED INSURGENCY PRECLUDES IS INROADS TO THE NORTH CAUCASUS, by Emil Aslan Souleimanov
BEIJING WAIVERS ON AFGHANISTAN SECURITY COMMITMENT, by Richard Weitz
IRAN’S REENTRY ON GAS MARKETS AND CHALLENGES TO TAPI, by Najia Badykova INDIA AND THE CPEC PROJECT: TO OPPOSE OR NOR TO OPPOSE?, by Sudha Ramachandran
Field Reports
TURKMEN STATE COMPANY TO LEAD CONSORTIUM FOR TAPI PIPELINE PROJECT, by Tavus Rejepova
NATO OPENS MILITARY TRAINING CENTER IN GEORGIA, by Eka Janashia
NATURAL DISASTERS IN TAJIKISTAN, by Kirgizbek Kanunov
By Emil Aslan Souleimanov (09/02/2015 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Recent months have seen North Caucasian amirs pledging allegiance to the terrorist group calling itself the Islamic State (ISIS). Many have pointed to this process as a sign of the changing paradigm of the regional resistance, which is being transformed into – or absorbed by – the global jihadist insurgency. But these assumptions can be challenged by a look at the internal dynamics, the distance from key hotbeds of jihadist violence, and the limits of the North Caucasian insurgency. While ISIS may have some impact on the North Caucasian jamaats, it is likely to be rather limited and indirect.
CACI Analyst, July 19, 2015
Contents
Analytical Articles
WAS THE SCO SUMMIT IN UFA A BREAKTHOUGH?, by Stephen Blank
ECONOMIC CRISIS LOOMS IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS, by Natalia Konarzewska
ARMENIA AND THE IRAN DEAL, by Armen Grigoryan
Field Reports
TBILISI COURT RESTRICTS OPERATION OF GEORGIA’S LARGEST TV COMPANY, by Eka Janashia
KYRGYZSTAN DENOUNCES COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH U.S., by Arslan Sabyrbekov
NEW PROSPECTS IN ARMENIA-GEORGIA RELATIONS, by Erik Davtyan
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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