Abkhazia - South Ossetia
Situated on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the northwestern portion of the South Caucasus, Abkhazia is considered a disputed territory that has fought for independence from Georgia. Until 1991, the region formed part of the Soviet Union. By 1992, as the Soviet Union began to disintegrate, ethnic tensions over Georgia’s moves towards independence flared up between Abkhaz and Georgians. The resulting war for Abkhazia led to the de facto independence of Abkhazia from Georgia and the mass exodus and ethnic cleansing of the Georgia population from the region. Intermittent violence continues, including the 2008 South Ossetian War. To this day, Abkhazia remains occupied by Russian forces and is considered a “frozen conflict” zone along with South Ossetia.
South Ossetia is a disputed region in the Southern Caucasus —formerly part of Georgia but currently integrated into the Russian Federation as an autonomous oblast. The region contains a complex mix of ethnic Georgians and Ossetians—who consider themselves part of North Ossetia, a federal subject of Russia. In 1990, South Ossetians declared independence from Georgia. The Georgian government then attempted to re-establish control by force, leading to almost 1,000 casualties, widespread human rights violations, a refugee crisis and a shaky peace agreement. Tensions flared up again in 2008, inciting a large-scale military offensive by Georgia against South Ossetian separatists. In the end, Russia took de facto control of the region.
South Ossetia is a disputed region in the Southern Caucasus —formerly part of Georgia but currently integrated into the Russian Federation as an autonomous oblast. The region contains a complex mix of ethnic Georgians and Ossetians—who consider themselves part of North Ossetia, a federal subject of Russia. In 1990, South Ossetians declared independence from Georgia. The Georgian government then attempted to re-establish control by force, leading to almost 1,000 casualties, widespread human rights violations, a refugee crisis and a shaky peace agreement. Tensions flared up again in 2008, inciting a large-scale military offensive by Georgia against South Ossetian separatists. In the end, Russia took de facto control of the region.
Armenia
The Republic of Armenia is a mountainous country in the South Caucasus. Armenia's borders over the years have changed significantly, and it has had a long, troubled, and painful history with its neighbors Turkey and Russia. By the 19th century, it was divided between those empires, and the Armenian people suffered, particularly during the Armenian Genocide (the Medz Yeghern) committed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. After a brief time as the independent First Republic of Armenia (1918-20), Armenia was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, regaining independence only in 1991.
Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia fought a bitter war with its neighbor Azerbaijan from 1988-94 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of the Azerbaijan SSR that was populated by Armenians. That conflict was halted in 1994 by the Bishkek Protocol, which remains in effect to this day.
Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe and the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia fought a bitter war with its neighbor Azerbaijan from 1988-94 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region of the Azerbaijan SSR that was populated by Armenians. That conflict was halted in 1994 by the Bishkek Protocol, which remains in effect to this day.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan, the largest country in the southern Caucasus has a nation of over 9 million. Azerbaijan gained its independence from the Soviet Union on October 18, 1991, and has since become a republic. Azerbaijan has found itself in the Nagorno-Karabakh War with Armenia, which was undertaken to prevent a secessionist enclave of Azerbaijan’s territory from returning to Armenia. The war was brought to an end by a Russian brokered ceasefire in May 1994, and peace talks have continued since then.
Azerbaijan is an oil rich country, and during the Second World War provided a significant portion of Soviet oil supplies. Continued oil production has moved to Azerbaijan’s offshore oil reserves, and the Ukraine and Iran have expressed interest in running a gas pipeline through Azerbaijan to Western Europe.
Azerbaijan’s incumbent President Ilham Aliyev remains a controversial figure whose government has received criticism for corruption as well as an authoritarianism. Numerous controversies, including the declaration of all Armenians as enemies of Azerbaijan and obvious displays of wealth acquired through corruption, are associated with his presidency, a position he has held since 2003.
Azerbaijan is an oil rich country, and during the Second World War provided a significant portion of Soviet oil supplies. Continued oil production has moved to Azerbaijan’s offshore oil reserves, and the Ukraine and Iran have expressed interest in running a gas pipeline through Azerbaijan to Western Europe.
Azerbaijan’s incumbent President Ilham Aliyev remains a controversial figure whose government has received criticism for corruption as well as an authoritarianism. Numerous controversies, including the declaration of all Armenians as enemies of Azerbaijan and obvious displays of wealth acquired through corruption, are associated with his presidency, a position he has held since 2003.
Chechnya
Chechnya is an oil rich, mountainous region of the Caucasus that has experienced high levels of conflict over the last two decades. The ethnic Chechen population has inhabited the region for hundreds of years. Islam is the most popular religion in the region and serves as a point of tension between modern Chechnya and the Russian Federation.
Chechnya has clashed with Russia since the 1500s, when Ivan the Terrible married Maria Meryukovna, a Chechen woman—a move done to increase Russian influence and control over the Caucasian region. Under Soviet Rule, the Chechen population was decimated. Stalin ordered a mass deportation of the entire Chechen population in 1944 for purported collaboration with the Nazis, causing thousands upon thousands of Chechens to die. This is perhaps the most significant event that colors the Chechen narrative of its relationship with Russia. Chechen attempts at independence in the 1990s sparked the First Chechen War (1994-1996). After a series of apartment bombings in Moscow by Chechen terrorists, Putin launched the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). Chechnya failed to gain independence from the Russian Federation and remains an autonomous region within the it. Its current leader is the notoriously strong-handed Ramzan Kadyrov.
Chechnya has clashed with Russia since the 1500s, when Ivan the Terrible married Maria Meryukovna, a Chechen woman—a move done to increase Russian influence and control over the Caucasian region. Under Soviet Rule, the Chechen population was decimated. Stalin ordered a mass deportation of the entire Chechen population in 1944 for purported collaboration with the Nazis, causing thousands upon thousands of Chechens to die. This is perhaps the most significant event that colors the Chechen narrative of its relationship with Russia. Chechen attempts at independence in the 1990s sparked the First Chechen War (1994-1996). After a series of apartment bombings in Moscow by Chechen terrorists, Putin launched the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). Chechnya failed to gain independence from the Russian Federation and remains an autonomous region within the it. Its current leader is the notoriously strong-handed Ramzan Kadyrov.
Dagestan
Bordering Chechnya and Georgia to the west, the Caspian Sea to the east, and Azerbaijan to the south, Dagestan existed as a “semi-autonomous republic” under the Soviets. Today the region is a republic within the Russian Federation, holding rights to establish its own constitution and its own language.
Dagestan is one of the oldest Islamized territories in Russia and possesses diverse ethnic populations. A delicate balance exists to satisfy the interests of its many ethnic groups—from the majority Avars, Slavs, and Turks to Farsi- speaking populations. Unlike Chechnya, however, Dagestan doesn’t share a history of separatism and has only recently experienced violence due to radical Islamic terrorist groups —often originating in Chechnya. The Russian government initially maintained a soft-line approach towards Dagestan, characterized by dialogue with local leaders and amnesty for rebel fighters, and because the region’s mainly Sufi Islamic community hasn’t embraced radical Islam, neither separatist movements nor homegrown terrorist groups have emerged.
Dagestan is one of the oldest Islamized territories in Russia and possesses diverse ethnic populations. A delicate balance exists to satisfy the interests of its many ethnic groups—from the majority Avars, Slavs, and Turks to Farsi- speaking populations. Unlike Chechnya, however, Dagestan doesn’t share a history of separatism and has only recently experienced violence due to radical Islamic terrorist groups —often originating in Chechnya. The Russian government initially maintained a soft-line approach towards Dagestan, characterized by dialogue with local leaders and amnesty for rebel fighters, and because the region’s mainly Sufi Islamic community hasn’t embraced radical Islam, neither separatist movements nor homegrown terrorist groups have emerged.
Georgia
Georgia is an independent republic located in the South Caucasus adjacent to the Russian Federation. Formed in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia has been largely shaped by policies enacted by Mikheil Saakashvili after the Rose Revolution in 2003. His policies, while criticized for authoritarian tendencies, have led to strong GDP growth in the past 10 years. In 2013, the Georgia Dream Party was elected to power and Saakashvili was peacefully replaced by Giorgi Margvelashvili as president.
In the Caucasian region, Georgia has stood in opposition to Russian influence and in 2008 fought Russia over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which Georgia claims are illegally occupied by Russia. As president, Saakashvili made significant strides towards economic and security integration with the West and sought NATO membership for Georgia. The Georgian Dream party appears to be more amenable to interactions with Moscow but has continued to work to join NATO. Additionally, Georgia has signed a treaty tying itself to Turkey and Azerbaijan, notably not including Armenia who has closer ties to Russia.
In the Caucasian region, Georgia has stood in opposition to Russian influence and in 2008 fought Russia over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which Georgia claims are illegally occupied by Russia. As president, Saakashvili made significant strides towards economic and security integration with the West and sought NATO membership for Georgia. The Georgian Dream party appears to be more amenable to interactions with Moscow but has continued to work to join NATO. Additionally, Georgia has signed a treaty tying itself to Turkey and Azerbaijan, notably not including Armenia who has closer ties to Russia.
Ingushetia - North Ossetia
Ingushetia is a republic in the North Caucasus, located just north of Georgia and just west of Chechnya. After Chechnya’s failed efforts to gain independence from Russia, the region inherited an influx of Islamic extremists, leading to an increase in violence. Violence in the republic was further exacerbated by the development of a home-grown radical Islamic movement.
North Ossetia is another, slightly larger republic in the North Caucasus region of Russia, which is located just west of Ingushetia. However, its population is largely Russian Orthodox Christian. It has also been affected by spillovers of violence from Chechnya.
In October 1992, the East Prigorodny Conflict took place between the Ingush and the North Ossetians. Tensions left over from the mass deportation of Ingush populations and resulting land disputes upon their return developed into a national Ingush movement. By October, it had escalated into a two-month long armed conflict between the two ethnicities.
North Ossetia is another, slightly larger republic in the North Caucasus region of Russia, which is located just west of Ingushetia. However, its population is largely Russian Orthodox Christian. It has also been affected by spillovers of violence from Chechnya.
In October 1992, the East Prigorodny Conflict took place between the Ingush and the North Ossetians. Tensions left over from the mass deportation of Ingush populations and resulting land disputes upon their return developed into a national Ingush movement. By October, it had escalated into a two-month long armed conflict between the two ethnicities.
Nagorno-Karbakh
Nagorno-Karabakh is a region within Azerbaijan and the site of a bloody war between 1988 and 1994 Originally conquered by the Russian empire in 1805, the region remained under Russian control until 1918, when it fell under the occupation of the Ottoman empire. In the early 1920s, however, the region changed hands and fell under Soviet control, becoming incorporated into the Azerbaijan SSR.
The area is predominantly Armenian, but is located in Azerbaijan. Interethnic conflict led to massive protests in the capital of Stepanakert and clashes between Azeris and Armenians ensued. Pogroms against Armenians continued until 1990, when Soviet troops intervened to stop the violence. However, in 1992, the Armenian government responded to a shelling of the town of Khojaly through military intervention in order to protect the ethnic Armenians living there. In the conflict that ensued, Azerbaijani and Armenian fought each other until 1994, when a cease-fire ended the violence temporarily. Nevertheless, tensions have continued to grow and skirmishes have broken out since the end of the war.
The area is predominantly Armenian, but is located in Azerbaijan. Interethnic conflict led to massive protests in the capital of Stepanakert and clashes between Azeris and Armenians ensued. Pogroms against Armenians continued until 1990, when Soviet troops intervened to stop the violence. However, in 1992, the Armenian government responded to a shelling of the town of Khojaly through military intervention in order to protect the ethnic Armenians living there. In the conflict that ensued, Azerbaijani and Armenian fought each other until 1994, when a cease-fire ended the violence temporarily. Nevertheless, tensions have continued to grow and skirmishes have broken out since the end of the war.