The Caucasus: Instability Increasing

The Caucuses region is simmering with tension, and, due to its strategic geographic location and Caspian energy markets, the international community cannot afford to let the situation boil over.

Lying in between Russia, Turkey, and Iran, the Caucasus is a politically and ethnically diverse region.  In the North are the Russian Republics, which are generally considered part of the Russian Federation, despite some of the sub-regions claiming independence. The North Caucuses is home to the Caucasus Emirates, a militant jihadist organization that has been active since 2007.  This past June, part of the insurgent group pledged its allegiance to ISIS, as ISIS’ seeks to expand its geographic reach. Many Islamist terrorists have since left the Caucasus for Syria to engage in jihad.  This, however, drove a wedge in the North Caucus insurgency, with some believing that ISIS’ tactics are too brutal. 

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