Russian army makes society ill

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russian army makes society ill: "Russian military prosecutors have opened 852 criminal cases, 748 of them involving crimes committed by servicemen since the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus. Large numbers of Russian peacekeepers in the Balkans had to be sent back because of their involvement in criminal activities. Discipline problems are important not only because they undercut a high level of combat readiness, but they can also lead to a serious loss of life. I shall cite a few examples: In 1993, several Russian sailors starved to death in the Far East; in 1993, an army ammunition dump blew up in the Far East with the explosive power of a nuclear weapon; in 1997, 50 soldiers were shot by their fellow servicemen, and these were only the ones on guard duty; and in 1998, four soldiers shot and killed their commanding officers. The situation became so serious that Yeltsin had to order an inspection of strategic rocket force facilities because disciplinary infractions among those soldiers were so widespread. "

Major terrorist groups operating in Abkhazia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Major terrorist groups operating in Abkhazia: "Georgia lost over 30,000 lives to terrorism and extremism over the last 14 years in Abkhazia. This is certainly cause for alarm, and creates an image of widespread breakdown of law and order – and this is an accurate picture of breakaway parts of the country- Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Across most of its geographical expanse, however, Georgia has remained by and large free of the modern-day scourge of terrorism, as of insurgency and other patterns of extremist political violence."

How Valuable an Asset?

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - How Valuable an Asset?: "Chairman Lantos, Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, members of the Committee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you our thoughts on NATO. I will make two key points: First, I will describe how NATO is meeting current transatlantic security challenges. Second, I will highlight NATO’s transformation, perhaps halfway through. We and our allies have done much; much more remains to be done."

NATO’s Latest Enlargement and Its Implications for the United States and Russia

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - NATO’s Latest Enlargement and Its Implications for the United States and Russia: "In violent conditions of international anarchy, which is permeated by mistrust and an ever-present threat of war over “anything”, states are inclined towards a special kind of collaboration—formation of military alliances. These are most commonly viewed as a response to fear and represent the finest manifestation of organized international cooperation “in order to deal with the dilemmas of common interests (security issues).” "

Russia's Northwest Strategic Direction

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Russia's Northwest Strategic Direction: "Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS. A unique set of security issues has emerged from Russia's northwest strategic direction in the post-Cold War era.[ 1 ] The conjunction of Russian transformation and crisis has recast security issues in the Baltic and Nordic regions, reducing the risk of military conflict but raising a host of issues associated with Russia's Baltic relations, especially the status of the Russian minorities in Estonia and Latvia and the dangerous legacy of a nuclearized Kola peninsula. The Western response to these issues, particularly in the Nordic countries and international institutions, has introduced a new subregional security system in Europe. "

Public Relations and Cultural Diplomacy

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Public Relations and Cultural Diplomacy: "By Ushangi Rezhinashvili, Ramaz Mitaishvili, Irakli Gagua Public diplomacy refers to diplomatic activities that directly reach out, in cooperation with the private sector, to the people and public opinions of foreign countries as opposed to traditional diplomatic activities that are conducted between governments. We witness sad and tragic things on the news every day. Does this mean that we are living lives so full of blessings that it is the unhappy things that make the news? Yes, it is probably because we are overly “blessed.” All Georgian people are living in a middling kind of way. That is what might have fostered the mentality that all Georgian are “rich” class. People have houses to live in, even if they are small houses; if you open the refrigerator door, there is always food inside. The lives that we live, in which we can take such things for granted, are surely blessings, and I think everyone has become used to this fact."

Institute "Abkhazia" tackles ethnic cleansing issue

Abkhazia Institute for Social and Economic Research - Institute "Abkhazia" tackles ethnic cleansing issue: "At its monthly meeting, the AISER tackled the explosive subject of anti-Georgian discrimination in Russia, country presently seeking entry into WTO. The assembly was held on Thursday, August 23 at the Glendale AISER Headquarters. Mr. Irakli Gagua said his goal is to raise awareness concerning issues affecting Georgian- Americans. 'The large Georgian-American population in the South California needs a group that will act in its interests,' he said. 'We want to reach out to other Georgian groups in an effort to bring attention to many issues that are vital to the Georgian-American community.' "