By Kevin Daniel Leahy (3/25/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The current global economic crisis has forced difficult choices on governments across the world. Against a backdrop of falling oil prices on the international market, the Russian government has already overseen the gradual devaluation of the rouble and is making preparations to recapitalize several large, private and state-owned banks. But what does this difficult economic situation herald for Chechnya, one of the poorest republic’s in Russia, and how will Moscow’s policies toward this locale (and neighbouring Ingushetia) be affected by the global economic crisis?

BACKGROUND: Over the past eight years the ruling regime established in Chechnya by the Kremlin has been the recipient of truly fantastic sums of money from the federal budget.

By Konstantin Preobrazhensky (3/11/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

South Ossetia has been exposed to an extensive KGB presence. Russia is, according to its friendship treaty with South Ossetia, entitled to deploy its Border Guards there. These are part of the KGB’s successor, the FSB (the Federal Security Service).

By Richard Weitz (3/11/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

International security experts warn that Iran is about to obtain sufficient enriched uranium through its indigenous nuclear program to be able to manufacture at least one nuclear weapon, giving it “nuclear breakout capability.” The Obama administration is now seeking to gain greater Russian assistance to avert such an outcome, offering the prospect of concessions regarding the planned deployments of U.S.