Caucasus Research Articles

Сведения о Кавказе в сочинении «Краткое изображение лежащих между Черным и Каспийским морями земель и народов»

In the second half of the 18th century, Russian printed sources remained the most vivid and comprehensible form of «necessity» for the study of the territory, peoples and neigh-bouring countries of the Russian Empire. For the study of the ethno-political picture of the Caucasus in the 18th century they are the key. As a rule, these sources are based on confessional considerations and represent the population of the Caucasus as Christians or Muslims. It is often difficult to determine which ethnicity is being referred to. An exception is the work of Y. Я. This work is of a particular interest because it contains informa-tion about the Caucasus and its inhabitants, as well as a general description of the ethno-political history of the Caucasian region. The content of the historical material is the basis for the scientific study of relations between rulers of administrative and political units of Georgia, Dagestan and Eastern Transcaucasia. At the same time there is a lot of information in the source about political influence of Iran and Ottoman Empire on the situation in the region. These data allow us to reconstruct some episodes of military and political history of the Black Sea-Caspian region in the second half of the 18th century.

Assessment of phosphorus behavior in sediments of Lake Sevan, Armenia

Lake Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and one of Eurasia's largest alpine lakes. The lake has been experiencing growing cyanobacteria blooms; however, the relevance of external and internal phosphorus (P) loading to its eutrophication is still not known. We carried out a sediment investigation of Lake Sevan to estimate the potentially mobile P, which could be a source of internal total phosphorus (TP)-loading; we also estimated external TP-loading and retention. The study was carried out at four sampling points of different depths to determine the spatial variability of P in 2018. The sediments had elevated TP contents at the sediment surface; potentially mobile P ranged from 20 to 60% in the top 2 cm. The upper 4 cm sediment had an elevated content of TN (8 to 16.1 mg N g-1 dw) and TP (1.2 to 1.7 mg P g-1 dw). Spatial variability of most of the measured parameters was more prominent in the upper 3 cm. External TP loading was estimated to be 110 tons annually, and the TP retention was 85%. The estimated TP stored in the top cm of the sediment is 1,500 tons. The potential for P release is high; the short-term exchange between oxic and anoxic overlying water could release 0.01 to 0.02 mg P L-1 from the top cm of the sediment, and long-term diagenesis and burial could release about 0.12 mg P cm-2. Internal P-loading in Lake Sevan may play an essential role in eutrophication, especially given the long flushing time of Lake Sevan.

Development trends and main aspects of language policy of Soviet state in the autonomous regions of the North Caucasus (1920-ies – early 1930-ies)

The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that Soviet state purposefully formed legal and socio-cultural norms of language policy, achieving mass literacy in regional languages and a qualitative increase in the status of these languages. The tasks of language policy in the autonomous regions of the North Caucasus are particularly difficult. The purpose of the work is to determine the development trends and the main aspects of language policy of Soviet state in the autonomies of the North Caucasus Region in the 1920-ies – early 1930-ies. The article is based on the methodology of constructivism, systematic and comparative analysis. The source base of the article includes unpublished documents of party and state authorities, the results of censuses, speeches of political figures, articles by publicists. The novelty of the article consists in a systematic study of such aspects as the formation of writing and literature in the languages of the North Caucasus peoples, the elimination of illiteracy in their native languages, the replacement of the Arabic alphabet with Latin, the translation of office texts from Russian into regional languages, the unification of the alphabets of the languages of the North Caucasus, quotas for speakers of regional languages in government bodies. The activity of organizations implementing the Latinized alphabet: the National Commission of the North Caucasus Regional Committee of the VKP(b), the National Council under the Regional Executive Committee of Councils, the Regional National Publishing House, etc. is evaluated. The results of the language reform in the North Caucasus were contradictory and not efficient. Resources for the introduction of regional languages as the main ones in the education system, propaganda, and official records are limited. The causes of this problem were: the low level of literacy of the population, the weakness of publishing houses, the lack of educated teachers and journalists with knowledge of regional languages.

İRAN'IN ERMENİSTAN VE AZERBAYCAN POLİTİKASI: JEOPOLİTİK REALİTELER VE KARŞILAŞTIRMALI ANALİZLER

ABSTRACT
 The Second Karabakh War that led to Armenia’s defeat as a result of Azerbaijan’s victorious counter-offensive dubbed as “Iron Fist” was not just a war fought between the two countries, but also a deciding factor of the new geo-political situation in the South Caucasus region. It is beyond a doubt that there are countries reluctant to accept these new geo-political realities that are trying to destabilize the situation and Iran is one of these states. Despite the Azer¬baijani people’s being part of the Islamic civilization and the country’s historical and cultural proximity to Iran, the Iranian state has placed an emphasis on gaining significant leverage of influence in the region, prioritizing Armenia in its quest for a strategic ally. Moreover, on many occasions, Iran has backed Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan either openly or covertly. Azerbaijan has sought to comply with the principles of good neighborliness, considering the current geo-political situation, instead of taking a tough stance against Iran. At the same time, Azerbaijan has established bilateral political, economic and cultural ties with Iran. Nevertheless, Iran moved to expand its relations with Armenia, keeping in mind its concerns over “the Azerbaijan Republic’s unification with the territories in northern Iran densely populated by Turkish”. From Iran’s viewpoint, Armenia fulfills the emerging task of protecting western and northern Iran from the influence of the Turks. On the other hand, capitalizing on the Armenian community’s political clout in the United States and Europe meets Iran’s interests. As for Armenia’s reasoning, it considers Iran as a country capable of revitalizing its economy and its approach to bilateral relations remains unchanged. Other factors contributing to the strengthened Iranian-Armenian relations included Turkey’s growing geopolitical influence in the region, and Azerbaijan’s close relations with Turkey. Although new geo-political realities emerged in the South Caucasus region during and after the 44-day war, Iran has been attempting to destabilize the situation ever since due to its reluctance to accept the facts. Unsurprisingly, ample evidence is available concerning Iran's cooperation with both Armenia and the separatist entity, as well as its involvement in joint illegal activities in the Azerbaijani territories that were under Armenian occupation for nearly 30 years. Azerbaijan liberated its territory from the Armenian occupation as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, which led to the emergence of new geo-political realities in the South Caucasus. Evidently, Iran is utterly perturbed over this situation, given that the new geo-political environment inceases the influence of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the region as part of their cooperation. Furthermore, the strengthening of a strategic alliance between Turkey and Azerbaijan and the expanding cooperation and integration in the Turkic world in general come into play. Overall, Turkic unity is an underlying cause of Iran's inability to grasp the current geo-political realities in the region. Iran definitely perceives Turkic unity as a threat. Therefore, it has consistently backed Armenia instead of supporting Azerbaijan, and this is currently the case as well. Although Iran certainly reserves a sovereign right to pursue its own policy and establish close ties with Armenia, taking sides, supporting this country and making defiant accusations significantly questions Iran’s attitude of good neighborliness toward Azerbaijan.

The influence of foreign direct investments on the economic development of South Caucasus countries

A nation's pace of economic growth in the South Caucasus region is directly influenced by the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) it gets. This research project examines the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth and stability, with a focus on the three nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This research seeks to understand three important aspects: the trends in FDI influx; the industries that draw the highest concentrations of FDI; and the societal consequences of FDI. Examining these three crucial facets of the whole is the aim of this study. The goal of this study is to look at the trends in foreign direct investment (FDI), with an emphasis on the South Caucasus region's growing prominence as a desirable destination for financial investments. To achieve the objectives of this study, we will. Numerous various elements, such as its advantageous geographic position, an abundance of natural resources, and the formation of prospective markets, may be ascribed to its preeminence. The industries with the largest amounts of foreign direct investment (FDI) are also examined in this research, with an emphasis on the manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy sectors' critical roles in promoting economic growth. In this last section of the study, the socioeconomic effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) are examined. The creation of new job possibilities, the diffusion of recently produced technology, and the diversification of exports are some of these outcomes. One of the main topics of this conversation is how these effects contribute to raising the local quality of life and lowering the incidence of poverty. The aim of this research is to examine the many aspects of foreign direct investment (FDI) and how it affects the economic development of countries in the South Caucasus area of the globe. The purpose of this project is to provide useful information on the opportunities and challenges these nations face in their efforts to draw in and use foreign investments in order to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity. The data that will be offered will come from a range of sources, such as focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews.

Creation and introduction into production of a new variety of soft winter wheat for cultivation in fallows and the best non-fallow predecessors

Relevance. Winter wheat is the main food crop in Russia, having the leading role in gross grain harvest improvement. The use of new adaptive varieties of winter common wheat in agriculture is the most realistic means of reducing the adverse effects of climate change ensuring a productivity rise and improving the technological properties of grain and flour. The developed winter wheat varieties should combine potential productivity and resistance to abiotic and biotic environmental factors through improved adaptability.Methods. The study was carried out in 2018–2022 on the fields of the research crop rotation of the FSBSI «ARC “Donskoy”», according to a green manure fallow due to the methods of SVT and a field trial.Results. The winter common wheat variety Zodiak can form a consistently high yield after various forecrops from 5.63 t/ha, when sown after sunflower to 10.23 t/ha when sown in green fallow. The variety formed the maximum productivity of 11.14 t/ha when sown in weed free fallow in 2018 and 2022. The study of the physicochemical properties of grain showed that the quality of grain and flour in the Zodiac variety corresponds to valuable wheat varieties. The protein percentage is 14.15%, gluten is 28.5%, the gluten quality corresponds to group I (IDK is 67 bp), the alveograph index is 255 f. a., the volume yield per 100 g of flour is 700 cm³, the baking assessment is 4.4 points, valorimetric estimation is 79 bp, SDS-sedimentation is 59 ml. The new winter common wheat variety Zodiak has been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements since 2022 and recommended for cultivation in the 6th North Caucasus region.

Ethnicity-specific BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, and ATM pathogenic alleles in breast and ovarian cancer patients from the North Caucasus.

Mountain areas of the North Caucasus host several large ethnic communities that have preserved their national identity over the centuries. This study involved high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and breast cancer (BC) patients from Dagestan (HGSOC: 37; BC: 198), Kabardino-Balkaria (HGSOC: 68; BC: 155), North Ossetia (HGSOC: 51; BC: 104), Chechnya (HGSOC: 68; BC: 79), Ingushetia (HGSOC: 19; BC: 103), Karachay-Cherkessia (HGSOC: 13; BC: 47), and several Armenian settlements (HGSOC: 16; BC: 101). The group of BC patients was enriched by young-onset and/or family history-positive and/or bilateral and/or receptor triple-negative cases. The entire coding region of BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, and ATM genes was analyzed by next-generation sequencing. A significant contribution of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) to HGSOC and BC development was observed across all North Caucasus regions (HGSOC: 19-39%; BC: 6-13%). Founder alleles were identified in all ethnic groups studied, e.g., BRCA1 c.3629_3630delAG in Chechens, BRCA2 c.6341delC in North Ossetians, BRCA2 c.5351dupA in Ingush, and BRCA1 c.2907_2910delTAAA in Karachays. Some BRCA1/2 alleles, particularly BRCA2 c.9895C > T, were shared by several nationalities. ATM PVs were detected in 14 patients, with c.1673delG and c.8876_8879delACTG alleles occurring twice each. PALB2 heterozygosity was observed in 5 subjects, with one variant seen in 2 unrelated women. This study adds to the evidence for the global-wide contribution of BRCA1/2 genes to HGSOC and BC morbidity, although the spectrum of their PVs is a subject of ethnicity-specific variations. The data on founder BRCA1/2 alleles may be considered when adjusting the BRCA1/2 testing procedure to the ethnic origin of patients.

Bioecological Characteristics of Species of the Hypericum L. Genus in Flora of Azerbaijan

The Republic of Azerbaijan with a rich biodiversity occupies a special place in the Caucasus region. There are about 5000 higher plant species in the country (belonging to 1142 genera), which makes up 66% of the total number of plant species growing in the Caucasus. Among the widespread plant species in this rich nature, the Hypericum genus which belongs to the Hypericaceae family takes special place. Although the vast majority of species belonging to the Hypericaceae family are perennial, annual grass, shrub (47%), among them are semi-shrubs and, in rare cases, low trees (H. bequaertii De Wild., H. revolutum Vahl, H. canariense L. (5%) and aquatic (H. elodes L.) plants. Hypericum genus, which has about 500 species, 70 subspecies, 3 varieties and 11 hybrids in the world are represented by 19 species, 1 subspecies and 1 variety in the flora of Azerbaijan. The present article is part of a complex experimental study which comprises bioecological research studies of Hypericum L. in flora of Azerbaijan.

Niche modelling suggests low feasibility of assisted gene flow for a Neogene relict tree, Castanea sativa Mill.

Abstract: As many tree species populations are being degraded by climate change, adaptive conservation, and forest management, such as assisted gene flow (AGF), can provide the genetic variation needed to adapt to climate change. The core of this strategy is to assist the adaptation process in populations at risk of climate maladaptation by introducing individuals with beneficial alleles to cope with expected climate changes. Castanea sativa Mill. (sweet chestnut) is an essential component of natural forests in the Mediterranean and Caucasian regions, with a long history of cultivation. Current climate change may seriously threaten the long-term persistence of the species, particularly in the Caucasus region, where the largest range reductions are predicted. Here, we used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to assess the feasibility of AGF in European and Caucasian populations of Castanea sativa. Bioclimatic variables for present (1981–2010) and future (2071–2100) conditions were obtained from the CHELSA climate database. The final models of future species ranges were averaged across three climate models (IPSL-CM6A-LR, MPIESM1-2-HR and UKESM1-0-L) and three climate change scenarios – SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. There are marked differences in the climatic niches of the Iberian, Alpine-Apennine, Balkan, and Caucasian populations, with significant implications for AGF. The most suitable European areas for the Caucasian populations were found only in the Adriatic region. The Iberian populations were not compatible with the predicted future climate in the Caucasus in any of the scenarios tested. Suitable areas for Alpine-Apennine populations within the AGF strategy were predicted in the Colchic lowlands, the eastern Pontic mountains and the Hyrcanian forests in the SSP1-2.6 and SSP3-7.0 climate change scenarios. In contrast, the Balkan populations would be compatible at most with the western Pontic mountains and, to a lesser extent, with the Hyrcanian forests. According to the most damaging climate scenario SSP5-8.5, the potential of AGF in the Caucasus with Alpine-Apennine and Balkan populations could be very limited. Our study showed limited applicability of AGF for Castanea sativa between the European and Caucasian populations due to low climate match. Genomic modelling is needed to fully assess the feasibility of this strategy in the species.

Risks of inter-ethnic conflict in the North Caucasus in the perceptions of youth

The article analyzes the assessments and perceptions of the North Caucasus youth about the state of interethnic relations in the region. The North Caucasian region is distinguished by a high level of significance of confessional, ethnic and group identities, which creates the risk of conflict in interethnic relations. Significant differences remain in the degree of ethnic and confessional self-awareness among Russian and North Caucasian youth. The issues of compatibility of various value and socio-cultural foundations of the worldview of young people, the formation of unifying civil and cultural-civilizational foundations of the all-Russian identity are gaining importance. The purpose is to determine the conflict potential of interethnic relations in the North Caucasus in the perceptions of youth. Objectives are to identifying the causes of interethnic tension, determining the ethno-confessional factors of the conflict potential of inter-ethnic relations among young people, the degree of readiness to personally participate in ethno-confessional conflicts in the interests of their ethnic and confessional group, the significance of the main macro-identities: all-Russian, ethnic and confessional. When working on the research methodology, special attention was paid to modern Russian and foreign theoretical and methodological approaches to inter-ethnic conflicts, the role of ethno-political and economic factors of conflict potential and the determination of the causes of inter-ethnic tension in a multi-ethnic environment. Empirical data were obtained by a survey-questionnaire conducted in February-March 2023. 1,400respondents were interviewed– students of leading universities in the North Caucasus. A sub-sampling was carried out according to nationality and attitude to religion. The level of interethnic tension in the North Caucasus is assessed by the respondents as low. At the same time, the potential for conflict and the mobilization potential of ethnicity, their dependence on national identity, remains. Most of the respondents singled out socio-cultural reasons as the main reasons for interethnic tension in the North Caucasus: rejection of the culture and values of other peoples, hostility and prejudice towards other peoples. The all-Russian identity has been formed and is significant for all groups of respondents. Ethnic and confessional identities are also of great importance for North Caucasian youth. In the North Caucasus, there remain latent risks of conflict in interethnic relations among the youth, the mobilization potential of ethnic and confessional identity. The main causes of interethnic tension are of a value-ideological nature. In the minds of young people there is a high significance, along with the all-Russian, ethnic and confessional identity. There is a tendency for the "field of conflict" to flow from the ethno-political into the socio-cultural sphere. Emotional-psychological and socio-cultural reasons for young people are of greater importance than socio-economic and ethno-political ones.

Genetic diversity, phylogeography and historical demography of the Golden Jackal, Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758, in Turkey as inferred from mtDNA sequences

The Golden Jackal, Canis aureus (L., 1758) is one of the most widespread species of canids, ranging from Central Europe and the Balkans to the Middle East and East Asia; however, relatively little is known about genetic diversity, population structure, and evolutionary history of the Turkish population, which occurs at a key crossroads in the species’ range. The present study assesses the phylogenetic status and demographic history of the Turkish populations relative to those elsewhere in Europe and Asia by analysing two mitochondrial DNA markers (cytochrome b, 1140 bp and control region, 310 bp). It was found that the genetic diversity in Turkey is higher than in European and Caucasian populations, but slightly lower than in Indian populations. The Turkish population has a close historical association with European and adjacent Asian populations. Demographic tests suggest a rapid population growth during the late Pleistocene, consistent with other Asian populations. These findings indicate that the Turkish population may have acted as a significant source from which the species expanded into Europe and the Caucasus region.

Organizational Culture Management Challenges

Abstract Healthy organizational culture is an important condition for the long-term stable successful functioning of the organization. It is important for the organization to share the understanding and interpretation of culture, forming healthy attitudes, complex of values, developing strategies for combining personality and organizational cultures, ensuring compatibility with universal humanitarian values of organizational culture. Our research carried out by the Human Potential Management Laboratory is linked to the identification of the main characteristics of organizational culture at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU), revealing of challenges and elaboration of appropriate recommendations. TSU is the oldest higher educational institution in Georgia and also in the Caucasus region. It is the largest university in Georgia, where the best students are enrolled from all regions of Georgia. The established norms of culture, the forms of relations, the system of recognized values here extend not only to the personnel but also to the younger generations that represent the country’s significant intellectual potential. The culture they have accepted affects the cultural value system of the country in general. For analysing organizational culture we have used the analysis of its expressive components, such as history, traditions, material symbols, language; Beliefs - understanding how the goals and ideas are related to each other; Routine behaviors established in the organization; Norms shared by groups). The dominant values - the firm, long-term belief of what is important; Expectations - Understanding how events will develop in the organization; The philosophy of organizational policy that determines the attitudes towards the employees, customers (the students); Rules of the game existing in the organization; Climate of the organization; Innovation and the ability to risk; Artifacts - aspects of organizational culture that you can see, hear and feel. The work was based on the qualitative and quantitative research. We studied not only the normative grounds for determining the organizational culture, but also developed hypotheses, we made a questionnaire. 34 closed and 2 open questions were answered by survey respondents. The survey covered 458 representatives of the Faculty of Economics and Business: Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students, academic and administrative staff. The study has shown that a strong culture is established in the organization, it was found that the influence of the socialist system on it is very high. It needs a great effort to change if needed. It has been revealed that the culture is not managed by open methods, it is less visible that it is an immediate objective of managing management, and its primary expressions are formed as a result of the interaction of normative regulators and individual interpretations of the activity. As a result of the research it has been revealed that the attitudes of different focus groups towards the same event differ, as well as the perceptions of respondents from different categories about cultural trends in the organization. It is interesting that radically different positions have been revealed among the respondents of one category towards certain issues, which gives the basis for making important conclusions. The conducted survey is a kind of supplement to the results of the earlier research carried out by us, which deals with the issue of improving management at higher education institutions in Georgia and in the post-Soviet space in general.

Demographic History of Scots Pine in the Pleistocene in Northern Eurasia and the Caucasus Region Based on an Analysis of Nuclear Microsatellite Loci

Demographic History of Scots Pine in the Pleistocene in Northern Eurasia and the Caucasus Region Based on an Analysis of Nuclear Microsatellite Loci

An updated list of mosquito species in Armenia and Transcaucasian region responsible for Dirofilaria transmission: A review.

Canine dirofilariasis is a world-wide distributed mosquito-borne helminthiasis that has a potential zoonotic impact. This disease is a serious problem in Southern Caucasus region, including Armenia. Average extensity of Dirofilaria infection in canids in Armenia is 26.9%. At present, 77 mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) are presumed to have a role in the transmission of dirofilariasis. 80 species of Culicidae family mosquitoes are registered in Southern Caucasus Region, and 31 of them are described in Armenia. The following species of Culicidae can serve as vectors of Dirofilaria spp. in Armenia: Aedes vexans, Ae. caspius, Ae. albopictus, Ae. geniculatus, Culex pipiens, Cx. theileri, Cx. modestus, Anopheles maculipennis s.s., An. claviger, An. hyrcanus, An. superpictus, Coquillettidia richardi, Culiseta annulata and Uranotaenia unguiculta. We see a risk of transmission in active foci of dirofilariasis, as well as for human infection in Armenia. Comprehensive research should be conducted on detection of microfilariae in the target mosquito species and in target localities.

Институт уполномоченного по курортам Кавказских Минеральных Вод (1934–1937)

This article constitutes a continuation of a publication series exploring the historical backdrop of the North Caucasus Region, focusing on the period when the administrative hub of this vast region re-sided in the resort city of Pyatigorsk (1934 - early 1937). Its primary focus resides with the State Institute of Commissioners, operating under the auspices of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, overseeing the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters (CMW, Kavminvody). Throughout this time frame, Professor V.N. Semenov, at the helm of the Architectural and Planning Workshop within the People's Commissariat of Public Utilities of the RSFSR, crafted a comprehensive project to propel the CMW resorts to new heights. The entrusted execution of this project was assigned to authorized representatives of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, vested with signifi-cant powers. Occupying the post of director of the Caucasian Mineral Waters in the 1920s and 30s (and since 1935, also serving as the commissioner of the CEC of the USSR), were esteemed indi-viduals such as S.A. Mamushin, M.I. Ganshtak, A.S. Enukidze, and A.D. Metelev, who skillfully assumed the helm of both Kavminvody and Sochi resorts. The author posits that at this juncture, we should not disregard the invaluable lessons learned from the successful operation of this institute. As a prospective option, the prospect of establishing a dedicated institute for the management of CMW resorts warrants consideration, potentially involving the plenipotentiary representative of the President in the North Caucasus Federal District.

Этносоциальные процессы в северокавказском социуме в постсоветский период: концепту-альные аспекты

The authors of this article have undertaken the task of examining the primary trajectories of eth-nosocial phenomena in the North Caucasus during the post-Soviet era and their interaction with the Federal Center and the broader Russian region. The objective of the study is to explore the correla-tion between ethnosocial developments within the regional society and Russia’s socio-economic strategy. The emergence of a new path for regional development has exacerbated the challenges sur-rounding ethnosocial self-determination in the North Caucasus, particularly during a period of eco-nomic reforms. Esteemed scholars, alongside the article itself, have shed light on this issue. It is worth noting that an exploration of transformational processes within the regional context during the post-Soviet period will serve as a crucial step towards comprehending the intricacies of ethno-social interaction between the central and regional authorities in the forthcoming decades. In light of this, the article focalizes on various aspects of disintegration within the realms of social, economic, and cultural interaction between these two tiers of governance. Drawing from data collected during a study conducted in 2015-2016 in the North Caucasus region, which was subsequently published in a collaborative work by Dzutsev, Atabieva, and Khubiev, the analysis hones in on the extent to which the population of the North Caucasian republics are oriented towards key material and spir-itual values, as well as their assessments of essential considerations, such as material security and value orientation. Through expert evaluations, a comprehensive framework illuminating public opin-ion and mass consciousness has been developed, outlining the ongoing ethnosocial processes influ-enced by the dimensions of time and space.

Проблема репатриации черкесских иммигрантов из Османской империи во 2-й половине XIX – начале XX века в документах архивов России и Грузии

The documents analyzed in the article are classified into 2 types – office documentation and regula-tory legal acts. Documents of the 1st type are divided into 2 groups depending on the departments of their compilation and functions. The first set of papers includes official correspondence and re-ports from Russian ambassadors in the Ottoman Empire to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as correspondence from Russian consuls and vice-consuls in Ottoman Empire provinces to Russian diplomats in Constantinople. The papers explain how Circassians came to the Ottoman Empire and the difficulties they faced when attempting to return home. The second group consists of documents prepared by military officials in the Caucasus: instructions from the Viceroy of the Caucasus’s Main Directorate to lower-ranking commanders of subdivisions, heads of regions and territories, instructions from the Commander-in-chief of civil authority in the Caucasus to governors-general and heads of regions and districts of the Caucasus region, etc., military officials’ reports to higher levels, attitudes between departments o According to these records, military officials in the Caucasus sent instructions to their subordinates in early 1861, which included rules addressing North Caucasian repatriates. Similar documents were accepted by tsarist officials in the Caucasus and at the beginning of the 20th century. The regulatory legal acts include: the provision of the Committee of Ministers «on taking measures to suspend the return of the highlanders from Turkey... », developed in July 1861 and approved by the emperor; «Regulations regarding Caucasian settlers returning from Turkey» (09.1861), compiled by the Chief of the General Staff of the Caucasian Army A.P. Kartsov. They contain rules that should have been applied to different groups of North Caucasian repatriates.

Просодические маркеры состояния «гнев» (на примере культурно-коммуникативных моделей общения русской и кабардинской этногрупп региона Кавказские Минеральные Воды)

The aim of the study is to identify the nation-specific and gender-specific prosodic markers of the state of anger involving the material of the cultural and communicative interaction models of the Russian and Kabardian ethnic groups of the Caucasian Mineral Waters region. The scientific novelty lies in applying a multifactorial methodology for analysing the regional type of communication taking into account the emotional-expressive content, gender and social differentiation for further creation of an adaptive quantitative-statistical learning model. It is the first time that Praat 5.3.32 is used as a tool for selecting relevant elements of an adaptive model for analysing emotionally marked communication. As a result of the study, the researchers proved that gender characteristics and the national type of communication influence the following indicators: the intensity of the beginning of an emotionally marked phrase, the main stressed syllable, the end of the phrase, tonal range, register, the ratio between the levels of the beginning of the phrase, the first stressed syllable and the end of the phrase, the volume of the interval of the rising and lowering tone, intensity coefficient, the intensity of the nuclear and stressed syllables, the ratio of syllables in order, variance, standard deviation and average syllabic intensity.

From Conflict to Peace? Stateness Assessment of the South Caucasus countries at the crossroads of political processes from 2017 to 2022

The article reflects on the sustainability and security perspectives of the South Caucasus region. While discovering the different approaches to the notion of “stateness” and its assessment methodologies, the article brings up the problems of insufficient clarification of the concept, the need for further work on its conceptual and functional formulations. As the assessment also covers the non-recognized states, the peculiarities, difficulties and possibilities of stateness assessment of non-recognized states are revealed. The article proposes a definition of stateness and an integral model for stateness assessment, which would make it possible to carry out the stateness assessment of both recognized and non-recognized states within the framework of one model. With the help of the developed ‘Peace Index’, the article comprehensively assesses the levels of stateness of the three recognized: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan; and the three non-recognized states of the South Caucasus: Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia through all four fields of stateness – political, economic, social and security for the years of 2017 to 2022. On the basis of the carried-out assessment, the article articulates policy recommendations for the South Caucasus countries and the region as a whole - guiding how to handle the current delicate situation in this strategically and geopolitically important region. The article suggests a) an immediate regional integration, b) economic cooperation as a key for conflict resolution, c) change of peace mediation format, d) support to the reconsideration of government-civil society relations format, making the civil societies of the South Caucasus states the inner constant peace-demanders and development-forcers - as the package-wise steps to transfer the South Caucasus region from conflict to peace.

Caucasian Albania: an International Handbook, edited by Jost Gippert and Jasmine Dum-Tragut. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2023. xi, 735 pp. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110794687.

The international handbook is devoted to a detailed analysis of Caucasian Albania, focusing on an intricate analysis of Caucasian Albania. The investigation is particularly attuned to the extent of activation of Azerbaijani revisionist tendencies subsequent to the Second Karabakh War in 2020 concerning the historical narrative, cultural nuances, and cultural heritage of the Caucasus region. Within the expanse of this handbook’s discourse, a meticulous examination is undertaken of the various pivotal junctures characterizing the phenomenon of historical revisionism surrounding the relatively lesser known “Caucasian Albania” and its populace, the “Caucasian Albanians,” both within the purview of academic scholarship and public discourse. Comprising sixteen in-depth chapters, this scholarly compendium rigorously scrutinizes and elucidates the primary factors underpinning the process of “Albanianization” as espoused by the Azerbaijani government and affiliated scholars, particularly regarding the Armenian civilizational heritage entrenched within Nagorno-Karabakh. The conceptual underpinnings of historical revisionism are methodically substantiated within this handbook. The post-Second Karabakh War landscape is delineated as a fertile ground where the Azerbaijani state apparatus and associated intellectual circles fervently advocated the “Albanianization” theory. This theory seeks to interconnect the historical trajectories of Azerbaijanis and Albanians, thereby positioning the Azerbaijani nation-state upon a shared historical bedrock alongside Armenia and Georgia. Against this backdrop, the conceptual framework of “Albanization” or the so-called “Albanian myth” emerges as a salient paradigm during and subsequent to the First and Second Karabakh Wars. This paradigm functions as a strategic instrument for discrediting the Armenian historical lineage vis-à-vis the disputed Karabakh territory.