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.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, “.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.By Daniel Linotte (10/5/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Uzbekistan officially notified its decision to withdraw from GUUAM on May 5, 2005. This move could have been anticipated a long time ago. Uzbekistan was not very involved in GUUAM activities and the growing repression in the country definitely diverged with the popular and pacific revolutions that took place in other member states, most obviously Georgia and Ukraine.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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