January 3, 2007
By Lara Scarpitta* It is old news that geography matters in foreign policy. A dormant EC/EU had to learn this vital lesson in 1989, when communism crumbled behind its safe walls. Faced with the sudden prospect of bordering poor, unpredictable and unstable neighbours, it responded by anchoring the former soviet satellites of Central Europe with [...]
October 1, 2006
By Alisa Voznaya The tenets of Islamic radicalism, often associated with Wahhabism, a fundamentalist form of Islam prevalent in Saudi Arabia, are slowly penetrating the previously secular populations in the Balkans and the North Caucasus. In Turkey, where 99 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslim, the unique sense of secularism is also beginning [...]
August 11, 2006
By Christopher Deliso The coveted Caucasus nation of Azerbaijan is enjoying increased oil revenues on the back of rising prices and larger production, along with some of the political advantages that come with it. According to respected economic forecaster the Economist Intelligence Unit, Azerbaijan is set in 2006 for an astonishing 27.5 percent growth in [...]
August 9, 2006
In another exclusive interview with Balkanalysis.com director Christopher Deliso, Canadian journalist and publisher Scott Taylor shares his insights on the current situation in the strategic Caucasus republic of Azerbaijan, from where he recently reported. Christopher Deliso: We understand that you have just returned from your first trip to Azerbaijan. So, how is it that you [...]
August 7, 2006
Every day this week, Balkanalysis.com will publish a new article on the fascinating and complex region of the Caucasus. Topics will range from security to politics and economics, and cover the major countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, as well as cross-border issues in the North Caucasus and first-hand testimony of the situation on the [...]
September 26, 2001
By Christopher Deliso Rising from the subtropical shores of the Black Sea to the majestic Caucasus mountains, Georgia is a rich and varied nation only now removing itself from the shadow of the Soviet Union. Indeed, for most of its long history Georgia has been the subject of attack and occupation by foreign countries — [...]
September 20, 2001
The terrorism in New York may have particularly dangerous effects for Russia, as it struggles to contain Chechen terrorism and control its Caspian territories. Russia is trying to equate the Chechen terrorism with the similar actions the US accuses bin Laden of having perpetrated in New York. However, it remains to be seen whether the [...]
