Field Reports
RUSSIAN-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS SUFFER AFTER THE BESLAN ATTACK
By Fariz Ismailzade (10/6/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Moscow justified the move by the necessity of fighting international terrorism and strengthening border security. Similar action was taken at the border with Georgia. Illegal migration and cross-border smuggling have become one of the major problems for Russia in the past decade, yet it is unclear whether and how closing down the border will help to improve the situation.SECURITY REMAINS A WORRY AS AFGHAN ELECTION CAMPAIGN UNFOLDS
By Daan van der Schriek (10/6/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
“It seems like many of them aren’t seriously campaigning but only participating to get some political gains – before dropping out of the race,” says an election observer of the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL).This concurs with what many ordinary Afghans seem to be believe: that the elections will not be won in the polling booths but in secret talks between the various contenders. In particular, there are rumors that many former mujahedin, including Pashtun, are unhappy with Karzai.
KAZAKHSTAN AND ITS NEIGHBORS DIVIDED ON WATER MANAGEMENT
By Marat Yermukanov (10/6/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The Almaty conference on trans-border rivers produced little to encourage the governments of Central Asian states to deepen the cooperation on projects agreed on earlier. It should be reminded that as far back as in 1997, the countries of the region reached a verbal agreement on the creation of an International Water and Energy Consortium. But that scheme did not progress an inch to this day.SOUTH OSSETIA JOURNAL, PART TWO: RETURNING TO AN UNCLEAR FUTURE
By Theresa Freese (9/22/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Security issues and freedom of movement remain an important concern for returning residents. Georgians complain that they cannot go to Tskhinvali, mainly out of fear of being detained or beaten. They claim, “If Georgians go to Tskhinvali and speak Russian or Ossetian, they will be fine.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.