KREMLIN CALLS FOR “CIVILIZED” RULES OF THE GAME IN EURASIA
By Mark Simakovsky (9/21/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: In December 1991, the CIS was created to help manage the collapse of the Soviet Union and resulting economic and political instability. The Kremlin hoped to maintain Russian leadership and supremacy in Eurasia by turning the CIS into a tightly knit economic union and collective security arrangement. After 14 years, a collection of ineffectual summits, unimplemented treaties and unfulfilled promises has highlighted the slow death of the CIS.REFORMING THE PAKISTANI MADARIS
By Naveed Ahmad (9/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The Pakistani religious schools (madaris) have been in the international spotlight since 9/11. British investigators’ initial claim that two of the suspected July 7 London suicide bombers had attended madaris in Pakistan proved a real catalyst, thus forcing General Musharraf to threaten the religious schools to register themselves with the government by December 31 or face closure. While the move has given impetus to the country’s inefficient bureaucracy, the religious schools by and large reject the exercise “being carried out under foreign pressure”.CHINA’S ACQUISITION OF PETROKAZAKHSTAN: A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
By Hooman Peimani (9/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND The independence of the Central Asian states in 1991 opened a new arena for the Chinese to expand both economically and politically in a neighboring region of significance to their national security. In search of fuel for its growing economy, the prospect of securing access to the region’s significant oil and gas resources has been yet another incentive for China in determining their policies towards Central Asia. In this regard, many small and large plans have been envisaged of which the majority is yet to be implemented.PROGRESS ON ABKHAZIA HANGS IN BALANCE, IN NEED OF INFORMED EXTERNAL SUPPORT
By Jaba Devdariani (9/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: In 2005, the new authorities of Georgia and Abkhazia have studied each other’s approaches towards the political settlement process. Several informal, closed-door meetings were held in Europe, under the patronage of various international agencies and NGOs. The meetings in a formal and slightly more publicized, UN-led “Geneva process” framework showed that there is room for progress in negotiations.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.