... so-called Islamic State represents a complex challenge to Russian security. First, it stands against Russia’s national interests in the Middle East and in the post-Soviet space (ISIS representatives have indicated their desire to gain a foothold in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries). Second, the Islamic State’s export of subversive and terrorist activities creates additional security risks inside Russia, threatens interfaith dialogue and the civic unity of Russian society, which represents ...
The post-Soviet South Caucasus countries have not yet accumulated sufficient experience in conducting their own “festive and commemorative” policies. Before they became independent countries as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia shared symbols and festive dates with all the other republics (the majority of these dates were associated with the establishment of the Soviet power there). The experience of national statehood after the disintegration of the Russian Empire was ...
... Professor, Editor-in-Chief of the International Trends journal
Reflections in the footsteps of Victoria Nuland’s Transcaucasia tour
For several days now, the Russian media has been abuzz over what one journalist dubbed the “explosive” tour of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia taken by Victoria Nuland, whom it has referred to as assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State, but who is actually the assistant to the Under Secretary of State. Interest in Nuland is being fueled by a distorted assessment of her ...
... the world leaders in this regard. In absolute figures, Azerbaijani defense expenditures soared by more than 100 percent over the past four years.
[2]
The Transcaucasian countries are also investing in their own defense sectors, the most active being Georgia and Azerbaijan who are
manufacturing their own small arms
, ammunition and several types of armored vehicles;
Armenia similarly also has engaged
in domestic production with some success
. At the same time, because their domestic capacities are rather sparse,...
