Revaz Adamia

By Bruce Pannier If all the proposed energy-export projects envisioned for the South Caucasus were to be built, hundreds of billions of dollars of oil- and natural-gas revenues could be flowing through the region annually. Once considered a "crossroads of civilization," the South Caucasus has emerged as a crossroads of energy-export routes -- spurring renewed competition in the region. Nestled amid regions to the south and east that possess huge hydrocarbon wealth, and regions west and north...Read Full Story

It is pretty clear that Russia and Georgia are at war (see excellent background article here ). It is not like there were no warning signs that Russia did not enjoy having its power challenged, as happened with the independence of Kosovo where the UN ignored Russia’s opposition and went ahead with support for the new republic over its objections. Then, a few weeks ago, I posted on the fact that it seemed that Russia was engaging in a new Cold War in an attempt to reclaim some global military...Read Full Story

It is apparent that a variety of countries have some new found confidence vis-a-vis their mineral wealth, namely Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan , and Russia, however, what will come of it? More corruption? There will clearly be more money to go in the "presidents'" pockets towards improving the lives of the citizenry. A Moscow-led natural gas OPEC? That is not a bad idea, per se, but the Kremlin will want to use it as another one of its sticks. SP doubts that the other...Read Full Story

By Joshua Kucera The Obama administration is embracing austerity when it comes to providing economic assistance to the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Many states in the region will see their assistances levels remain unchanged, under the administration’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, two countries that have emerged as important conduits for resupplying US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, may even see aid levels fall slightly. A year ago...Read Full Story

The conflict that has erupted in the Caucasus has set alarm bells ringing because of Georgia's pivotal role in the global energy market. Georgia has no significant oil or gas reserves of its own but it is a key transit point for oil from the Caspian and central Asia destined for Europe and the US. Crucially, it is the only practical route from this increasingly important producer region that avoids both Russia and Iran. The 1,770km (1,100 miles) Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which entered...Read Full Story

Geopolitical tensions are here to stay, says Dave Gonigam  on The Daily Reckoning's blog, Desidooru Saloon. A resurgent Russia is taking measures to re-exert its influence in Central Asia. And Iran remains a threat in the Middle East. Dave says both situations have the potential to send crude oil prices soaring once again...  So, Hurricane Gustav wasn't as bad as feared, and oil is down to $105 this morning.  And there's no geopolitical tension on the horizon to shake things up. Of course...Read Full Story

Independent.ie West cannot separate politics from commerce in Caucasus By Adiran Hamilton | Thursday August 21 2008 [...] Georgia is already the pipeline route for oil and gas from Azerbaijan . It was specifically developed by the West as a route that would bypass Russia on the way to Turkey and hence Europe. The difficulty for Europe is that Georgia remains, for the moment, the only alternative route to Russia for supplies from Kazakhstan and Kyrgistan as well as additional...Read Full Story

Review “As good an overview as one could find.”-S. Frederick Starr, Chairman of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, The Johns Hopkins University (S. Frederick Starr )”This book addresses the vital question of why there has been a resurgence of ethnic violence since the break-up of the Soviet Union. It far exceeds previous work on the subject and gives us the best understanding we have so far on how ethnic identity emerges and takes a militarized form. Derluguian presents his findin … Buy...Read Full Story

This is our group blog, which is unique because any Zimbio member can post an entry to it. Some members blog about recent news and trends related to the portal topic, others recount relevant personal stories. You can also comment on and rate existing blog entries, to voice your opinion and to help the community identify which members and entries on the portal are must-reads. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this portal? Well, then put on your journalist's cap...Read Full Story