State-Building in Transcaucasian Nations

As Khatchadourian (2003) has suggested, corruption, despotism, and political power struggles are also making it difficult for any of these three countries to articulate a rational program or strategy for the future. This report will consider the main geostrategic, political, and economic challenges to state-building in these three Transcaucasian countries. It will also identify potential solutions to the problems and ways that outside actors can play a constructive role in achieving stability in the region.

Overview of the Problems

Khatchadourian (2003) provided a summary of the major problems confronting the target states discussed herein. First, in Azerbaijan, the ailing strongman running the country (Heidar Aliyev) has attempted to install his son as his replacement, leading to violence surrounding general elec

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In the third of the countries to be discussed herein, Azerbaijan, the issue of Nagorny-Karabakh is also of enormous significance. In the early 1990s, Armenia and Azerbaijan went to war over the breakaway Nagorny-Karabakh Republic. At that time, Azerbaijan was less prepared than Armenia for the conflict. Today, Azerbaijan's economic development has advanced significantly while Azerbaijani leaders believe that Armenia remains ambitious with respect to grabbing land in the region (Azerbaijan better preparedà, 2004). Last October, post-election riots occurred in Azerbaijan. Like its neighbors, Azerbaijanis believe that the United States has not followed through on its commitments to support the development of democracy in the region. Specifically, Azerbaijanis appear to believe that the United States and the West are more concerned with gaining access to Azerbaijan's oil than in strengthening democratic institutions in the country (U.S. Embassy reportedlyà, 2004). Of special significance in the view of Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev is the fact that its 10 year-long conflict over Nagorny-Karabakh has rendered Azerbaijan subject to aggression and has resulted in the loss of 20 percent of its territory. This territory is n
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Approximate Word count = 2261
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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