CAUCASUS – CHALLENGES VERSUS OPPORTUNITIES Cover Image

CAUCAZ – PROVOCĂRI VERSUS OPORTUNITĂȚI
CAUCASUS – CHALLENGES VERSUS OPPORTUNITIES

Author(s): Gheorghe Matei
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: INFOSFERA - Revista de studii de securitate si Informații pentru Apărare
Keywords: The Caucasus Region; Transcaucasia; Ciscaucasia; The Caspian Sea; Georgia; Armenia; Azerbaijan;

Summary/Abstract: The Caucasus Region is a growing market, with a high development potential. While it is an important hub for energy flows and freight transport, it is also a frozen conflict zone, generated by strong ethnic, cultural and religious segregation (an obstacle in attracting significant foreign investment and achieving a coherent development program).Seen by most of the parties involved as a geopolitical area of potential influence, the region has real development opportunities, but it could be drawn into a potentially implosive uncontrollable race, a range of geopolitical clashes and geostrategic repositioning that can evolve unfavourably for the well-being of the cohabiting communities.The Caucasus ethnic disputes led to military clashes with the Russian Armed Forces for more than two centuries and rooted some anti-Russian sentiments for generations. Ethnic fragmentation, division and resettlement carried out in the Caucasus by the Soviet leadership sought to create a buffer zone, characterized by constant instability and a zone where policies contrary to the Kremlin’s vision could not be implemented.Regaining the influence lost by Turkey, consolidating Iran’s fragile position in the region, Russia’s desire to reconquer, along with the expansion of China’s economic projection, hinders European and transatlantic efforts for a democratic development of the region, that could be beneficial for the citizen of Caucasus.

  • Issue Year: XV/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 25-36
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Romanian