by Valery Dzutsev (05/15/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The security situation in the North Caucasus has deteriorated progressively since Moscow expelled foreign organizations from the region. Following the recent Boston Marathon bombing and its purported connection to the North Caucasus, the region and its precarious situation has attained increased international interest. Yet, while several arguments can be made for why an increased international presence in the region would benefit all sides, the Russian government will likely opt for keeping the region isolated from the world while justifying its ongoing military campaign in the North Caucasus as a contribution to global counterterrorism.

20130501analyst.pdf

by Eka Janashia (05/01/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Georgian authorities rejected an accusation dispersed on April 24 by the Russian media outlet Izvestia about alleged linkages between Georgian intelligence services and the Boston Marathon bombing.

20130417analyst.pdf

by Tomáš Šmíd (04/17/2013 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation recently issued a press release with information on the budget implementation audit of the Chechen Republic. The audit has revealed errors and violations amounting to 7.9 billion rubles (ca. US$ 252 million). While it has not yet been stated whether the violations will be classified as crimes, the Chechen leadership will have to explain how they handle the federal budget funds. To make things more complicated, the question emerges at a time when debates at the federal level increasingly question whether federal subsidies for Chechnya should be retained.