The crux of the problem remains that, as in the Balkans in the 1990s, an equitable peace is more attainable if there is a stabilizing international security presence. Russia’s peacekeeping mission, small and distrusted though it is, is the only such force in Karabakh.
The growing weakness of Russia is one reason for the recent escalation in the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Peace in the Caucasus and the post-Soviet neighborhood is more attainable if there is an stabilizing international security presence.
In the last decade, nondemocratic regimes have received more development assistance than democratic countries. This reveals how donors struggle with autocratization despite a rhetorical commitment to democracy.
Gamsakhurdia is one of many Georgians who have this feeling that Georgia is an exceptional place and an exceptional nation which is oppressed by Russia, but also partakes in some of the privileges that Georgia had because of the Soviet Union.
At some point, Moscow will have to have a serious conversation with Baku about reassessing the existing arrangements in Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan’s favor.
Most of the energy resources from Central Asian countries come to European markets through the territory of Russia but at the same time European countries want to make sure that Central Asian countries' economies are not damaged by all the sanctions.
The Kremlin still has the convincing argument that is military force, but as Russia experiences defeat on the battlefield in Ukraine, its hand is now weaker than it once was.
Countries around the world are struggling to bridge the gap between citizens and political elites. Innovative practices outside the West, while far from ideal, should be considered in debates about democratic renewal in Europe.
The European Political Community aims to draw EU’s neighbors into its orbit while leaving enough room to accelerate European integration. Doubts remain over the new platform’s ability to overcome the harsh political realities that sunk similar initiatives over the years.
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