Carnegie Moscow Center
With its simmering conflicts and economic problems, the South Caucasus poses perhaps the biggest challenge to the European community in its neighborhood.
The main political issue facing Turkey in the Black Sea region is how to guarantee political and military security in the area as Ankara positions itself as a key regional actor and independent center of power.
The normalization process between Turkey and Armenia stalled only months after its auspicious beginning in October 2009, when the foreign ministers of the two countries signed two historic protocols establishing diplomatic relations between the bitterly divided neighbors.
The political, social, and cultural influence exerted by the ethnic solidarity of the Cherkessian people, located both in the Russian Federation and in the diaspora, has the potential to further destabilize the North Caucasus.
Recent developments in Russia's foreign policy reflect the country's struggle to preserve its status as a “great power” through modernization.
Located in an important economic and transport corridor, the countries of the South Caucasus are grappling with the challenges of post-Soviet independence, internal and external tensions, and unresolved conflicts in three breakaway territories.
Through business connections, Georgia and Abkhazia can discover opportunities for mutually beneficial engagement that could improve socio-economic conditions in Abkhazia, build confidence on both sides, and eventually help resolve the conflict there.
Following the 2008 war, the United States has struggled to redefine its relationship with Georgia. Questions remain concerning the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as well as the remaining democratic weaknesses in the Georgian government.
The circumstances surrounding the exodus of the Russian population of Chechnya and the deterioration of bilateral relations must be better understood if Moscow wishes to cultivate positive relations between Chechens and Russians and to avoid similar developments in other parts of Russia.
Abkhazia has become increasingly dependent on Russia for security, military, and economic investments ever since Moscow recognized Abkhazia’s independence in August 2008.