Moscow’s strategy towards its traditional periphery in the Caucasus and Central Asia has adapted with: the changing world order; the Kremlin’s shifting interests in the region; and its perceptions of US objectives. Meanwhile, the regional states play an unprecedented active role — albeit in different ways — at staving off Russia’s ambitions. This Breakfast Briefing will address the broader questions of: Russia’s strategy and objectives; the means that it is prepared to use to achieve its goals; and the key risks for stakeholders in the region.

Key discussion areas:

• What are the key drivers of Russia’s strategy in the Caucasus and Central Asia?
• Is Russia resurgent and is its regional behaviour imperialistic and militant?
• How have the regional states responded to Russia’s policies in the key economic sectors?
• What scenarios are most and least likely for regional development?
• Key future risks and opportunities for stakeholders.

Speaker:

Dr. Nazrin Mehdiyeva is an Academic Visitor at St Antony’s College, Oxford University, and consultant who specialises in energy security and geopolitics in Russia and Eurasia. She is the co-author of Beyond Blood Oil (published in 2016) and wrote Power Games in the Caucasus (published in 2011).