By Murad. B. Al-Shishani (1/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Kadyrov intended his visit to win him recognition in the Islamic World as the President of Chechnya, successfully as Saudi Arabia was concerned. He was officially received, and presented himself as “the President of all Chechens”. He announced that the Republic of Chechnya is going to sign a “historic” agreement with Russia giving Chechnya large economic powers by which it will not be exempt from taxes to the Russian Federation, instead using them to rebuild its infrastructure.

By Andrew Buchman (1/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: In the dozen years following independence, critics have predicted little success for Karimov’s “zig-zag” development policies. Yet Uzbekistan has outperformed expectations. President Islam Karimov has made quite clear, in numerous elaborations of his government’s domestic and foreign policy, that Uzbekistan faces considerable security challenges that limit the degree and pace of liberalization his government can afford to pursue.

By Hooman Peimani (1/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: As the only two Caspian states, the Soviet Union and Iran were the only military powers in the Caspian region in the Soviet era. Although the Iranians had a significant military presence, including a small Caspian Sea fleet, the Soviets were unquestionably the dominant military force with a very impressive Caspian Sea fleet. The disintegration of the Soviet Union increased the number of Caspian littoral states from two to five.