The South Caucasus: The Breakdown of the Soviet Empire

Abstract

The Caucasus has been torn by conflicts since 1988, and some of these conflicts became large-scale wars due to the usage of heavy weapons. These relatively short wars resulted in major distractions, casualties, and displacements, and this includes ethnic ‘cleansing’ across the region. Together with violence, economic downfall and the breakdown of ties with international communities occurred. Humanitarian emergencies in the South Caucasus were due to the breakdown of the multinational Soviet empire. This chapter begins with the different conflicts in the South Caucasus, both national and territorial, as well as the economic structure and developments. Social and political structures are also presented. The situation, especially the severity, of the humanitarian emergencies in South Caucasus is also provided. The chapter concludes by providing studies as to how improvement in the standards of living may be achieved in the South Caucasus.