The North Caucasus is an exceptional
region which, in terms of economic and political significance, has never lost
its importance throughout history. As a result of that significance, the region
has witnessed, over the centuries, many struggles against the great powers of
the region vying for regional hegemony, despite its internal ethnic diversity.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union triggerred conflicts among various groups
wanting to fill the power vacuum in the area and settle historical scores.
Especially, political tensions and ethnic conflicts among different ethnic
groups have become the defining feature of the North Caucasus. To understand
the reasons and possible consequences of these processes, first the ethnic
structure of the region needs to be analysed. Then, the main areas and subjects
of conflict will be studied.
Kuzey Kafkasya, tarih boyunca stratejik ve politik açıdan önemini kaybetmeyen ender coğrafi bölgelerden biridir. Karmaşık etnik yapısına rağmen bölgede, burada çıkarı olan büyük güçlere karşı direniş ve mücadele geleneği ortaya çıkmıştır. Sovyetler Birliği'nin dağılmasıyla bölgede doğan boşluğun doldurulması ve tarihsel hesapların yeniden görülmesiyle ilgili hareketlilik başlamıştır. Özellikle farklı etnik gruplar arasındaki gerilim ve çatışmalar günümüzde Kuzey Kafkasya'nın temel gündemi olmaya devam etmektedir. Bu gerilim ve çatışmaların nedenlerini ve olası sonuçlarını daha iyi anlayabilmek için önce etnik yapı üzerinde kısaca durulacak, ardından başlıca çatışma alanları ve konuları ele alınacaktır.
The North Caucasus is an exceptional region which, in terms of economic and political significance, has never lost its importance throughout history. As a result of that significance, the region has witnessed, over the centuries, many struggles against the great powers of the region vying for regional hegemony, despite its internal ethnic diversity. The dissolution of the Soviet Union triggerred conflicts among various groups wanting to fill the power vacuum in the area and settle historical scores. Especially, political tensions and ethnic conflicts among different ethnic groups have become the defining feature of the North Caucasus. To understand the reasons and possible consequences of these processes, first the ethnic structure of the region needs to be analysed. Then, the main areas and subjects of conflict will be studied.
Journal Section | Article |
---|---|
Authors | |
Publication Date | September 30, 2016 |
Published in Issue | Year 2016 |