Modern Georgia: issues of internal and foreign politicsThe South Caucasus consists of the three countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia. I would not hesitate to call it a region full of challenges.
Four factors determine this line of thinking: first is that, S. Caucasus states seek alliances/partnerships in those capable of balancing threats posed by foreign actors; second, the countries of the region see their neighbors as a main source of threat; third, each of them sees powerful external actors as the main guarantors to their security and wants them as allies against neighbors; fourth factor is that the differences in threat perceptions is one of the main obstacles to forming the common regional identity by this turning prospects for cooperation and development dire1.
Georgia is naturally part of and is affected by the developments in the region.
It is reasonable to concentrate on the Georgia-Russia relations by having a close look at the latter by this stressing the importance of political developments that take place there for the former.
Since the 1992 Russian foreign policy vector went through the different stages of development. Until about 2003 it was mainly oriented on t friendship with the West. During Yletsin‟s headship in office assumptions were made in favor of Russia‟s integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. On the initial phase of Putin in power main impetus was drawn on friendship with the US and NATO and establishment of the closer ties with the EU.
The drastic turning point from that course is noted since 20032. As for the ideological and rhetorical ground, Putin address to the State Duma in 2004 as well as Munich speech of 2007 served as such. As a result Russia got consolidation of power around the ruling apparatus (power vertical) which asserted itself as highly authoritarian phenomenon in public life of Russia; on the external arena these translated into a severe want of rehabilitation. The increased prices on oil and gas provided a good starting material resource for conducting this kind of a policy (manipulation and energy crises of 2006 and 2009 in Europe).