Foreign Policies of the States of the Caucasus: Evolution in the Post-Soviet Period

Abstract

The article examines the development of the foreign policies and strategies of the three states of the Caucasus-Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia—in the post-Soviet period. The article claims that ideology and identity have had little impact on the alliances and foreign policy orientations adopted by the three states. Second, the three states of the Caucasus adopted fundamentally different policies toward Russia. Third, geographic factors have had significant influence on their foreign policy options. Fourth, managing the results of the secessionist conflicts has been a major goal of their foreign policy efforts and the conflicts are a useful lever of neighboring powers. Fifth, the foreign policy making capability of the three states has expanded significantly. Last, the foreign policy options of the three states have been limited by the policies of the major powers in the region.

Keywords

South Caucasus, Foreign Policy, Geography, Ethnic Conflict, Russia.

Citation

Shaffer, Brenda, “Foreign Policies of the States of the Caucasus: Evolution in the Post-Soviet Period”, International Relations, Volume 7, No 26 (Summer 2010), p. 51-65.

Affiliations

• Brenda Shaffer, Dr., University of Haifa, School of Political Science