The Caucasus

A First for Georgia

By Laura Linderman and Melinda Haring

Replacing the President by the Ballot Box Georgia’s elections and its sometimes tumultuous results are not for the faint of heart. The country will hold a presidential election on October 27 and this election is historic: for the first time in its history, an incumbent president will be replaced through the ballot box and not […]

Rasmussen Confirms Georgia is Joining NATO Response Force in 2015

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

Georgia, has offered to join the Response Force in the future, and been accepted.

Cross-border Electricity Exchanges: Bolstering Economic Growth in the South Caucasus and Turkey

By Nino Ghvinadze and Laura Linderman

The latest Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center issue brief, “Cross-border Electricity Exchanges: Bolstering Economic Growth in the South Caucasus and Turkey,” by Nino Ghvinadze and Laura Linderman, explores opportunities for expanding electricity trade in the South Caucasus and Turkey. This brief has been prepared in the context of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasian Energy Futures Initiative. Download PDF

NATO Secretary General Objects to Russia Building Fences ‘Within Georgia’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

I note with concern the Russian Federation’s continued activity in erecting fences and other obstacles along administrative boundary lines within Georgia.

Discussion with Georgian Presidential Candidate Dr. Davit Bakradze

On September 20, the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center and the National Democratic Institute cohosted a private roundtable discussion with Georgian Presidential Candidate Dr. Davit Bakradze, and his party representatives from the United National Movement (UNM). The discussion focused on Dr. Bakradze’s political platform and assessment of the upcoming October Presidential elections, as well […]

Discussion with Georgian Presidential Candidate Dr. Nestan Kirtadze

On September 17, the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center hosted Georgian Presidential Candidate Dr. Nestan Kirtadze and her party representatives. The discussion focused on Dr. Kirtadze’s political platform and the initiatives of her “EU-Georgian, Abkhazian and Ossetian International Movement: for peace, democracy and development” (EUGAO) party, as well as political outcomes following the October presidential elections.

Armenia Reportedly Buys Chinese Rockets

By Joshua Kucera, Bug Pit

Armenia has reportedly bought long-range rockets from China, in what would be both an escalation of the rocket race between Armenia and Azerbaijan and a dramatic entry of China into the regional conflicts of the South Caucasus.

Yes, NATO Should Let Georgia In

By Michael Cecire, National Interest

Categorical critics of NATO like [Doug] Bandow accuse the organization of being without a mission since the Soviet Union’s disintegration, but somehow fail to recognize that the Cold War success of NATO was as much sociopolitical as it was military.

Central Asia Can’t Be Forgotten

By James L. Jones

The transformation of Central Asia and the Caucasus that began twenty years ago—and in which the transatlantic community has a vital stake—is incomplete and uncertain. Despite progress, numerous problems remain. They vary from country to country, but among the most ubiquitous are ineffective governance, political systems that lack public participation and transparency, shortcomings in the […]