Search

The article reports on the role of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) to social policy development particularly in Central Asia and Caucasus. PRSP, approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, is designed as a framework document for concessional lending to countries with low income. It includes an analytical framework focused on macroeconomic, structural, sectoral as well as social considerations. Specifically, PRSP features a set of poverty reduction measures and policies within an initial three-year time frame. It also discusses the four core principles used for the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF), another instrument by World Bank. Details about the PRS process and social policy and their implementation in both countries are also presented.

This article examines the ways in which various Russian NGO5, involved in litigation at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), have worked to advocate for improved domestic implementation of rulings made by the Court. The paper traces these advocacy activities in four key problem areas for Russia's implementation of the Convention: (1) domestic judges' knowledge and citation of the European Convention or ECtHR case law: (2) the execution of domestic court judgments by Russian state bureaucratic bodies; (3) extrajudicial disappearances and killings in anti-terrorist military operations in the North Caucasus; and (4) torture or inhumane treatment in police detention. The author finds that the impact Russian NGOs can have upon domestic implementation depends greatly upon the professional cultures and incentives of the actors involved as well as whether or not prevention of violations is compatible with other high-level Russian government agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines social policy and development issues in Central Asia and the Caucasus. It presents a background of social policy, which was developed first in the London School of Economics in Western Europe as an academic discipline. In addition, various goals of social policy are discussed. Also included are the details on the status of social policy and development in both countries, wherein it was noted that many states on these areas already enjoy high rates of economic growth amid equally high rates of poverty, social exclusion, and others. Allegedly, rampant corruption, absence of rule of law, and power monopoly by the elites caused the scenario. Moreover, it examines the impact of social policies on health care and other social services.

The Soviet period of the command system left a legacy of under-funded multilevel bureaucratic structure of water administration and planning for the Central Asia and Caucasus countries. The existing administrative system of water management is unable to cope with inter-sector, dynamic, and versatile character of current water management problems. Therefore, the situation calls for principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in the region. This paper presents some ideas about institutional reforms in water sector started in Central Asia and Caucasus regions. It describes the key IWRM principles and how these principles are being implemented into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: My argument in this paper is that Caucasia has become an area of contention, like much of post-Soviet Eurasia, between the East and West, particularly between Russia''s Caucasian policy, which revolves around its long-term interest in re-establishing its regional hegemony in the so-called Near Abroad, and the United States'' grander ambition for global hegemony. The South Caucasus has provided the first opportunity for Russia to demonstrate its will to prevent the United States, NATO, and the European Community from penetrating the southern tier of the former USSR. Russia''s move is not a program of imperial control, but rather a determined effort to contain or even roll back the influence of other powers, most importantly, the United States and NATO in the regions closest to Russia''s borders. The “southern tier” of the former Soviet Union – Caucasia and Central Asia – contains the most vulnerable regions in which other powers might intervene, and it is here where Russia will test its new policies. Up until August 2008 it used primarily “soft power” vigorously to prevent other powers from increasing their influence in the region. In August it demonstrated it was prepared, when pushed, to use “hard power.” The Russo–Georgian War was a watershed in East–West relations with a more assertive Russia willing to take on its more powerful competitors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The enlargement of the EU eastwards and the development of the European Neighbourhood Policy has meant the EU developing explicit interests in the former Soviet states. In this there is the potential for tension with Russia in a shared neighbourhood. In particular, with the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU in 2007 the EU has become a Black Sea power and launched its 'Black Sea Synergy'. This article examines the extent of EU and Russian engagement in the area of the Black Sea and explores the ways in which the EU may engage Russia in this latest shared neighbourhood. In particular, the article examines how far the regional dimension of the Northern Dimension in the Baltic area may be appropriate here. The article goes on to examine the ways in which the overall context of EU-Russia relations effects cooperation in this area. It concludes that while the tenor of the relationship may have changed in the light of greater Russian assertiveness, the basis for close cooperation remains one of pragmatism and mutual economic self-interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effects of the war in Chechnya and the issue of counter-terrorism campaign of the Russian government. The campaign is just an instrument for Russia's consolidation and transformation of the military structures. President Vladimir Putin exploited the war for both domestic and foreign-policy intentions. He has aligned it with US war on terror to advance Russia's influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia.