Eurasianism and the Concept of Central Caucaso-Asia

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Eldar Ismailov and Vladimer Papava
world community is allowed to have free financial and economic access to
the region. 338
The events of September 11, 2001, taught the United States how to prevent
the threat of new terrorist acts in Central Caucaso-Asia and make victory in
the War on Terror possible. 339 American interests in the region, thus, are not
limited to energy issues. 340 This means that it will seek to help the former
Soviet republics overcome what remained of the Soviet economic system and
promote the market economy and private sector as a solid foundation for
economic growth and the rule of law. This will also help them cope with
social and ecological problems and profit from their energy resources and
ramified export mainlines. 341 After Russia’s invasion of Georgia, the most
urgent problem for the U.S. is supporting the development of the democratic
processes in the region. 342
Some Russian experts admit that Moscow prefers to use the arguments about
its historical, psychological, and other ties with former Soviet republic, while
the United States rejects in principle any theories along the lines of “soft” or
“limited” sovereignty of these republics. 343 The Americans are convinced that
Russia would profit from richer and more stable neighbors. 344
Some Central Asian experts have offered interesting assessments. According
to them “Moscow’s orientation toward ‘stagnation’ and the unlimited
support of the people in power is depriving it, and has already deprived it, of
promising and potential allies among those who tend toward modernization
and change”; whereas America’s policy in the region promotes democracy. 345
338
Ibid.
339
For example, Toby T. Gati and Tapio L. Christiansen, “The Political Dynamic,” in
Kalicki and Lawson, eds., Russian-Eurasian Renaissance? U.S. Trade and Investment in
Russia and Eurasia, pp. 447-459.
340
For example, Amy Jaffe, “US Policy Towards the Caspian Region: Can the Wish-
List be Realized?” in Gennady Chufrin, The Security of the Caspian Sea Region (New
York: Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 136-150.
341
Mann, “Caspian Futures.”
342
Adrian A. Basora and Jean F. Boone, “The Georgia Crisis and Continuing
Democratic Erosion in Europe/Eurasia,” Foreign Policy Research Institute E-Notes,
October, 2008, .
343
For example, Utkin, Amerikanskaia strategia dlia XXI veka, p. 108.
344
Ibid., p. 105.
345
For example, Tolipov, “Russia in Central Asia,” p. 24.