15 Years of the North Caucasus Federal District: An Analysis of Achievements and Challenges

This report aims at underlining the North Caucasus Federal District’s positive trends and the local challenges which might undermine regional stability and the Kremlin’s efforts to improve the socioeconomic conditions.
Putin-Pashinyan’s Phone Conversation Confirmed Russia’s Interest in Armenia and the Caucasus

The recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reviewed Armenia’s presidency of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and outline future cooperation within the bloc.
Assessment of Armenia’s Foreign Policy Towards U.S., EU and Russia’s Regional Presence

This report assesses Yerevan’s foreign policy toward Washington and Brussels, and Moscow’s potential responses, considering Russia’s diminishing influence in the Caucasian republic after approximately thirty years. In addition, it analyses potential threats to Armenia arising from the expansion of its ties with the West.
Iran-Armenia Relations: Strategic Partnership Amid Regional Transformations

This analysis examines how recent regional developments, particularly in security cooperation and economic partnerships, have reshaped Iran-Armenia’s relations amid growing regional challenges.
Risk Assessment Report: Georgia – Political Unrest and EU Integration Impasse

This report analyses the ongoing political unrest in Georgia following the suspension of its EU membership negotiations and the contested parliamentary elections of October 27th, 2024.
Intel Report: Abkhazia’s Domestic Political Crisis and Regional Implications

This report investigates recent protests in Abkhazia that reflect a deepening crisis in the republic (linked with Russian interests in the Caucasus), primarily driven by opposition factions demanding President Aslan Bzhania’s resignation and a full political transition.
Incident Report: UAV Attack on the Russian University of Special Forces in Gudermes, Chechnya

On October 29th, 2024, a UAV attack targeted the Russian University of Special Forces (RUS) in Gudermes, Chechnya, resulting in a fire on the roof of an unoccupied building.
Analysis of Georgia’s Recent Parliamentary Elections and Geopolitical Implications

The Georgian Dream party has secured a parliamentary majority with approximately 54% of the vote in Georgia’s recent elections. This outcome, disputed by pro-European opposition leaders, has raised concerns over electoral integrity and the future of Georgia’s EU candidacy.
BRICS Summit: Strategic Implications for the Caspian Sea Region

The BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marked a pivotal moment in the bloc’s expansion and its focus on fostering economic cooperation, regional security, and enhanced multilateral relations. The Caspian Sea region, shared by Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan, plays a strategic role in BRICS’ geopolitical and economic ambitions.
Kalmykia: A New Russia Center for the Development of the Caspian Sea’s Regional Cooperation

This report seeks to outline the historical and socioeconomic features of Kalmykia and examine its potential contribution to Moscow’s logistics strategy in the Caspian Sea region.
Azerbaijan: Increasing Saudi Investments Might Boost Economic Diversification

The recent Azerbaijani-Saudi business forum underlined Baku’s attempt to diversify its economy and Riyadh’s desire to increasing its investment and economic presence in Azerbaijan and, therefore, in the South Caucasus region.
South Caucasus: Iran Opened a Trade Centre in Armenia

This report assesses the opening of the Iran Trade Centre in Yerevan, Armenia, on October 1st, 2024. The centre represents Tehran’s largest permanent trade facility abroad, aimed at facilitating economic engagement with the Armenian and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) markets.
Dagestan Between Kremlin’s Support and Indian Interests

This report analyses the recent developments in Dagestan, focusing on Moscow’s strategic interests in the republic and the geopolitical significance of the North Caucasus. It highlights the visit of Yuri Chaika, the Russian President’s representative in the North Caucasus, to Dagestan, and assesses the importance of the recent meeting between Dagestani authorities and an Indian…
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Policy Amidst the East-West Dichotomy

This report investigates Azerbaijan’s strategy to differentiate its partnerships, maximise economic opportunities, and maintain strategic autonomy amid shifting geopolitical dynamics characterised by the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and the East-West competition.
Analysing Contemporary North Caucasus with Mairbek Vatchagaev

SpecialEurasia engaged in a discussion with Mairbek Vatchagaev, a historian and political analyst specialising in the North Caucasus, to acquire deeper insight into the region’s dynamics, the Kremlin’s local strategy, the developing situation, and future risks.

Category: Caucasus