Emergence of New Political Identity in the South Caucasus: Energy, Security, Strategic Location and Pragmatism
Suleymanov, Elin
2004
- Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Abstract: The South Caucasus is a boiling pot of various faiths, ethnicities, historical memories and political orientations, has traditionally been subject to strong, often overwhelming external pressures. The example of strong regional partnership between Azerbaijan and ... read moreGeorgia, two nations with very different dominant ethnic and religious groups, shows that not only a cooperative arrangement within the South Caucasus is possible, but also that it is, clearly, in the interest of its participants. Following the wave of strong nationalism, Azerbaijan and Georgia, unlike Armenia have opted for more pragmatic politics. Pragmatism became a trademark policy for Baku and Tbilisi establishing foundation of strong bilateral partnership. The Azerbaijan-Georgia partnership forced the world to look at the Caucasus in a new, different way. Much of this new pragmatism has been built on the ability to balance various pressures in a dynamic regional equilibrium. This includes careful consideration of perceptions of national security in the region, which are focused on potential negative influences of Russia and Iran; the unresolved state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan and other regional conflicts; and the challenge of strengthening state institutions. At the same time, Caspian energy projects play a key role in bringing about positive changes in the South Caucasus and promoting cooperative model of regional integration.read less
- ID:
- vq2800492
- Component ID:
- tufts:UA015.012.DO.00069
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
- Usage:
- Detailed Rights
