Abstract The paper analyzes both the geographical position and the demographic elements of Azerbaijan. The paper discusses how the country is still regarded as being on the path of transition, from the soviet structured political and economic regime, to a decentralized political elite and functional market economy. The paper examines Azerbaijan's relationship with its neighbors, as well as international relations with the US.
Outline:
1) Overview of the Country:
i) Key Regional Players
ii) Recent Key Events
iii) Flash Points For Potential Conflict
iv) Potential Problems That May Require A US Decision Or Military, Diplomatic, Economic Action
2) Assumptions
3) Actors within Azerbaijan 4) US COA Regarding Azerbaijan
From the Paper "Armenia is regarded, in the same manned, as part of the string of former communist satellites and in the coordinates of the Trans Caucasian region. For Azerbaijan, it represents a source of ethnic conflict, as Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s, has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan . Although an OSCE brokering action is underway, the regional forces are split over the assistance given to both parties, one actor's position worthy of considering being that of Turkey, who, in light of cultural affinities with the Azeri Republic, supports its cause in the on going conflict."
Abstract This paper identifies eight requirements for a democratic state and examines the reasons why Azerbaijan does not fulfill these conditions. The paper explains that these reasons include widespread corruption, the lack of an assured territorial integrity and an authoritarian structure of government. The paper concludes that, although some progress has been made, it may be some time before the obstacles hindering the democratization of Azerbaijan are removed.
From the Paper "Azerbaijan is a country with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population. The country was independent for a short period of time, from 1918 to 1920, and it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Azerbaijan has been embroiled in an ongoing conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (with what is primarily an Armenian population). As part of this conflict, Azerbaijan has lost about 16% of its territory and now supports some 600,000 internally displaced persons. The country faces widespread corruption, and while there has been a promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources, this promise remains largely unfulfilled ("Azerbaijan" para. 1)."
Abstract This paper discusses the history of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, which is called the Transcaucasian region. The author points out that understanding this history can help formulate policy in a post September 11 world and global terrorism. The paper notes the importance of region due to its oil reserves.
From the Paper "The Transcaucasian states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are ancient nations that have historically struggled ..."
Examines realism, rationalism & regime theory, hegemony & cooperation; applies theories to analysis of national representation in Azerbaijan International Operating Consortium.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 9 sources, 1997, $ 95.95
From the Paper "NATIONAL REPRESENTATION IN THE AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL OPERATING CONSORTIUM
Introduction
This research analyzes the national representation in the Azerbaijan International Operating Consortium (AIOC). The AIOC is one of two consortia involved in the development of the petroleum resources in the Caspian Sea region (Gorst, 1997, pp. 33-34). The other consortium is the older Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). The CPC is engaged primarily in the development of a pipeline system to transport Caspian Sea petroleum to the Mediterranean area, while the AIOC is involved primarily in the extraction of the petroleum.
Competition is fierce for participation shares in the AIOC. Petroleum companies"either state-owned or private sector"from the.."
Abstract This paper describes Robert Kaplan's portrayal of the Soviet, Ottoman, and Hellenistic empires. It summarizes Kaplan's depiction of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria and several Russian Republics. The paper also points out how some of Kaplan's personal and political experiences influenced his writing.
From the Paper "In Eastward to Tartary, Robert Kaplan takes us on a journey through the wreckage of empires: Soviet, Ottoman, and Hellenistic. His path winds from Hungary through Romania and Bulgaria and then on to Turkey, Syria, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. He introduces us to the social and political climates of countries that were shrouded in mystery under communism or largely ignored due to American unfamiliarity with the region. Unlike Paul Thoureaux and other American writers, Kaplan seems to have an interest in the political and demographic situation of the region, and we see these countries portrayed through the eyes of a student of socio-political environments."
Tags:azerbaijan, turkmenistan, magyar, eastern, europe, ceausescu, Bucharest
Abstract This paper explains that the monopoly of the top five tourism destinations of France, Spain, the United States, Italy and China is being challenged by over thirty other countries located in Asia such as Malaysia, Africa such as Mauritius, the Middle East such as the United Arab Emirates, South America such as Cuba and the newly independent countries in Europe such as Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Uzbekistan. The author points out that the most significant macro-economic trend, which began in the 1990s, is globalization. The paper stresses that rapid and unplanned tourism development is resulting in destroying the beauty and ecological balance of many a natural habitat, which means that the tourism industry is rather irresponsibly destroying one of its own key capital assets.
Table of Contents
Competitive Trends
Macroeconomic Trends
Environmental Issues
Leveraging Strengths to Overcome Key Threats to Global Tourism
From the Paper "The World Tourism Organization estimates that there were 694 million international tourist arrivals in 2003, and that international tourism receipts totaled $514 billion in 2003. These figures indicate the importance of tourism to the global economy and more important, the efforts that are being made to encourage its growth. In fact, the investment of money, time, and effort in tourism is not surprising considering that tourism represents approximately 7 percent of worldwide exports of goods and services, occupying the fourth position after exports of chemicals, automotive products and fuels."
Abstract This study examines earlier Soviet Union foreign policy towards Iran. The paper looks at how Soviet foreign policy grew and, at times, declined through economic cooperation with Iran from 1945-1979. Particular emphasis is shifted away from Cold War stances and upon nation to nation growth. An outline of the study is appended to the paper.
From the Paper "James Harlon Williams characterizes Soviet foreign policy in the Persian Gulf region as a "product of historical experience." Historically, it followed a pattern or strategy of "expansion, consolidation, and preservation." As Imperial Russia expanded its borders during the course of the Great Game in Asia, it emerged as the most powerful Continental power in Central Asia. Quickly thereafter, Russia moved to consolidate and preserve that power through political shoving matches with Great Britain. While the Russians significantly pushed their borders southwards towards Iran, the British countered Russian influence in order to protect British India. The idea of Iran as a "buffer" state acted as the way the British used Iran to prevent Russian penetration towards the Persian Gulf. Since the British resisted a stronger Russian presence in the Gulf, Russia employed a series of proxy conflicts while averting war with Britain. Playing a game of power politics dominated Russian and British diplomacy. From the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries both sides asserted their political dominance in Iran. Their goal was to dominate the enemy as much as possible yet averting war at all costs. Engaging in a head to head war would not be beneficial to either Russia or Great Britain from an economic and military perspective. In doing so, the tsar abandoned hopes of obtaining a warm water port in the Gulf."
Abstract This article serves as a discussion of Russia's attempts to try to keep vestiges of the Soviet sphere of influence in the Caucasus region. The writer looks at Russian economic policy toward the Transcaucasian states. The complications of each state and the Russian response are also discussed in this paper.
From the Paper "Since the demise of the Soviet Union, Russia has pursued a policy of attempting to keep former Soviet republics within Moscow's sphere of influence. Perennially concerned about invasion, Russia had created a buffer zone between itself and potential adversaries through the Soviet period. In the west Ukraine Belarus and the Baltic states of the Soviet Union as well as the Warsaw Pact nations of Eastern Europe insulated Russia proper ... "
Abstract This paper looks at the various threats to the stability that the Transcaucasia states are facing and examines possible solutions to the problems. The paper addresses problems in those regions such as ethnic conflict, the struggle for identity, the struggle for land and the challenges to state building.
From the Paper "The Caucasus is a region that has experienced seemingly endless conflicts between various ethnic and national groups. According to Raffi Khatchadourian the lesson of the region is that ethnic warfare is as much a contest over history as it is a fight over the present and as much a struggle for identity as a land grab. In nations such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, only recently freed from Soviet domination and still struggling to articulate economic policies that will bring about sustainable..."
Tags: Transcasian region, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, state building
This paper is an extensive literature review of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) of the European Union, especially with regard to the inclusion of Georgia.
Abstract This paper explains that European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) was developed to combat some of the European security issues that exist in Europe. Authorities believe that the ENP would enhance the European Union's ability to secure the region against terrorism and would help promote the economy and overall quality of life of the region. The author points out that originally the ENP applied to its direct neighbors: Algeria, Belarus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Ukraine. Later, however, it was extended to include the countries of the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) with whom the present candidate countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, share either a maritime or land border. The paper concludes that by eradicating terrorists or criminal activities and by strengthening the political and justice systems in the country, the ENP will be helpful to Georgia. The paper includes many quotations.
Table of Contents:
Introduction to Study
Introduction
Background/ History
Theoretical Framework
European Integration Theory
Social Theory and International Negotiation Theory
Literature Review
Purpose of the EU
EU Pursues Two Main Types of Policies towards the Rest of the World
Economic Policies
Foreign and Security Policies through the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Defense Policy Cooperation
Enlargement
Development of ENP
ENP Framework: Objectives, Principles and Instrument
European Security Strategy as a Foundation of ENP
The European Neighborhood Policy
Trade and Competitiveness
Development
Strategic Relations, Political Dialogue and CFSP
EU-Georgia Relations
From Partnership to Neighborhood and beyond Neighborhood Policy
EU-Georgia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
Analysis
Looking at the Neighborhood from Georgian Perspective
Why is ENP Important for EU and for Georgia?
The Military Sector
The Economic Sector
The Education Sector
The Environmental Sector
The Society Sector
The Political Sector
How Sectors are Synthesized
EU Interests towards Black Sea Region: Why Georgia Matters?
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to the commission's report these agreements permit the expansion of cooperation and economic amalgamation across a variety of domains. The effects of these agreements have not been realized at the current time. In any case, the ENP provides a foundation for improved cooperation in many distinct domains so that the EU and its partners can realize the full benefit of the structures that are in place (European Neighborhood Policy). To this end, the Action Plans will establish key priorities to be tackled in the years to come."
