Events Detail

Crisis in the Caucasus: Russian-Georgian Tensions Examined

On October 19, 2006 Hudson Institute’s Center for Eurasian Policy hosted H.E. David Sikharulidze, the Georgian Ambassador to Washington, and Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eurasian and European Affairs, at a panel discussion moderated by Center director Zeyno Baran.

The panel examined the recent tensions between Georgia and Russia, which have been exacerbated following Georgia’s arrest of four Russian military officers on charges of espionage in September. View the meeting notes here (PDF 639 Kb).

featuring

H.E. David Sikharulidze
Ambassador of Georgia to the United States

and

Matthew Bryza
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

Moderated by Zeyno Baran
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Eurasian Policy, Hudson Institute

Thursday, October 19, 2006
3:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

In the wake of the arrest of four Russian military officers in Tbilisi on charges of espionage—an event that caused Moscow to evacuate its embassy and introduce an economic and transport blockade—Russian-Georgian relations have reached a crisis point. Home to two key frozen conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and a key state along the newly-opened Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Georgia is at the crossroads of a region of considerable strategic importance—and of considerable instability. How will these recent developments affect the already tense situation in the Caucasus? Issues to be discussed include: Russian claims of Georgian “aggressiveness” in the wake of Tbilisi’s recent opening of Intensified Dialogue status with NATO; Moscow’s possible linking of approval for UN sanctions on Iran with the introduction of punitive measures against Georgia, and the importance of the future status of Kosovo for the resolution of the deadlock in Abkhazia. Is the Georgian side taking advantage of its deepening relationship with NATO in order to push for a quick resolution of the two frozen conflicts, or is Russia seeking to provoke Georgia prior to the crucial Riga summit, thus discrediting Tbilisi in the eyes of NATO? In this discussion, our distinguished speakers will share their views on the timing and consequences of this dramatic rise in Russian-Georgian tensions.

The meeting will take place at Hudson Institute, which is located at 1015 15th St, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC. This event is by invitation only. For more information please email Onur Sazak at onur@hudson.org or call (202) 974-2400.