field : POLITICS and INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
type : course
prof. : Albert Bininashvili
class hours : 20
ECTS : 4
schedule : -
The course examines complicated process of state-building in the South Caucasian States - Armenia, Azerbeaijan and Georgia - in historical and geopolitical perspectives.
The focus is on the comparative analysis of political ideological and institutional factors affecting stability of these newly independent states; peculiarities of the power struggle and the role of the clans in local politics; human rights issues.
Particular attention is given to the dynamics of inter-ethnic strife and inter-state conflicts and the assessment of the role and efficiency of conflict-resolution efforts of international organizations, foreign governments and NGOs.
Developments to the sovereign South Caucasian states are viewed in the broader regional perspectives in connection with the situation in the Russian controlled Northern Caucasus.
The political and military implications of the first and second Chechen wars are throughly examinated.
Focus on the analysis of dynamics of Russians security strategy in the Caucasus, methods and techniques of conflicts-management applied by the Kremlin in the Chechen and lesser conflicts, either within the state boundaries of the Russian Federation or out.
The international dimension of the Caucasian politics is examined through the prism of importance of the Caspian hydrocarbon resources. The role of Russian and Western petroleum corporations, their influence and impact on the decision-making and formulation of Caucasian policies of their respective governments are addressed in detail.
Topics to be covered also include: role of Islam and nationalism; Russia’s “Near Abroad” strategy and its regional security implications; US strategic interests and policy options in the area; EU’s role in peace-keeping and conflict resolution.
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