Changing approaches to security / Working Paper
Challenging the South Caucasus security deficit
05/04/2011 By Jos Boonstra, Neil Melvin
The South Caucasus suffers from a security deficit and there is a significant risk of increased instability and conflict in the region. Current security frameworks are inadequate, both for preventing new conflict and for settling long running disputes. Regional organisations have lost influence at the expense of Russia, Turkey and the US. However, the regional powers have been unable to reverse the drift towards instability. Without action, a further deterioration in the current situation of insecurity and even conflict is likely, with far reaching negative consequences for the population of the region and for neighbouring countries. The European Union is regarded as a relatively neutral player by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and could make an important contribution to filling the security deficit in the South Caucasus through a concerted and comprehensive conflict resolution approach.
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Keywords
Caucasus Conflict resolution Eastern Partnership (EaP) European Neighbourhood Policy International organisations Regional powers SecurityBio author: Jos Boonstra
Central Asia. Eastern Europe. The Balkans. Caucasus. CSDP.NATO.OSCE.Security Sector Reform. Eastern Partnership.
Bio author: Neil Melvin
Neil Melvin specializes in the study of conflict, with a particular focus on ethno-national conflicts in the former Soviet Union and in Asia
