Report on Russia and Its Neighbours

PROJECT ON BUSINESS AND POLITICS IN THE
MUSLIM WORLD
Weekly Presentation: October 7, 2008
Russia and Its Neighbours
By: Bakare Najimdeen
Period: From 5th-11th October 2008


Making an attempt to identify the West would necessarily requires the identification of regions sharing similar cultural bond, colonial heritage and history, economic similarities, proximity, same political impulse and also a part of the Judeo-Christian civilization.

The classification of the region West indicates a far-flung areas cutting across the two sides of the Atlantic (West/North Europe and North America) into the south hemisphere of the United States. It also includes the Mediterranean countries of the South of Europe and spreads to the Black Sea region reaching the large area of Caucasus and Slavic spacious Russia.

Unveiling the west with all of its characteristics does not necessarily denotes a region exclusively Christian, cultural monolithic and having nothing doing with the rest of world. Instead the West as it stands today is a configuration of many variables. Its present representation is that of a multicultural society as a result of historical events over the ages and more recently the wave and influence of international migration.



Russia and its Neighbours

Upon the economic reassertion of Russia in the recently times it influence is becoming more felt around the neighbourhood. Russian leaders obviously want to re-project the country as a Super Power whose influence should not be downplayed particularly in its self proclaimed sphere. Although the Central Asia countries have attained their independence couple of decades back, yet Russian economic influence on these countries continues to be a prevailing issue. In fact Russia has often maintained an explicit policy of friendship with any nation in the region ready to go in the interest track of Russia. In this respect Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan competing for supremacy in the region are always caught in the Russian interest game. Although many of the countries want to maintain an independent status free from the grips of Russia, they have been trying to open relations with other power brokers within and across the region. They believe doing that would balance Russia hegemony, in-spite all of these alternative seeking policies the influence of Russia remains underscore.

Economic front

Russia influence in the region owes much on its economic and military reassertion. It has continue to maintain a close relations with the Central Asian Countries as the latter countries employ an open economic policy in order to counterbalance Russia economic hegemony in the region. Most of these countries have entered into bilateral agreements with western countries and other power brokers across the region. The most troubling economic deal worrisome for Russia is the oil and gas pipeline deal between the CARs and the European Community. The latter is in need of energy and like to challenge Russian gas monopoly through the energy reserve of the CARs. Moreover it is very much interested in maintaining its influence as such the Russian government is ready to aid country that will toe its interest track, though Russia has continuously opened agricultural and technical assistance to the region and writing off debt to those that would rather stay along with Russia than going with an outside power. Turkey is another economic and strategic player as Europe is making effort to transit CARs’ energy through Turkey. This of course is another serious concern for Russia, already the United States and the European Community wants to use Georgia as alternative against Russia as energy source to Europe and that informs why both United States and EU were seriously concerned when Russia invaded Georgia.


Political Front

Russia under Putin is rated to have advanced, though Europeans and the Americans believe democracy is yet to have a fruitful stay in that country, as the country still experience political closeness. The meddling in Russia affairs by foreign powers has brought more confrontation with Russia. Prime Minister Putin in today’s Russia is seen as a powerhouse of the country even before he left the office of the presidency. Many in Russia believe new President Medvedev is a stooge of Putin. Nevertheless one can still see the power being flexed by Putin within Russia and in foreign policy issues.

The protracted brawl between Russia and its Caucasus Muslim community remains an international issue although Russia has tried to nationalize the whole event. Dagestan, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Tartar and other Caucasus Muslim principalities are yet to relent their struggle towards independence, a struggle that has claimed hundred of thousands of life and properties. One important aspect of Russia policy in the region is divide and rule, the Russian government was able to choose people of its likings for the administration of the region and those repulsive of Russia authority are labeled rebel with whom there has been a continuous fight. Another aspect of political tension for Russia is the recent conflict with Georgia wherein South Ossetia and Abkhazia lies at the heart of the conflict. The Ossetian is predominantly Muslim by religion but ethnically Russian, the later prejudice was the premise with which Russia launched its latest attack on Georgia. The incursion of Russian troops was internationally condemned and became a source of threat for the sovereignty of other neighbouring states.


Strategic Front

Russia in the recent times wants to rebuild its alliance with those countries that still maintain friendship or sympathy for Russia, thus Russia is ready to spread its military assistance to these countries. The creation of the Shanghai Security Cooperation which includes Russia and China indicates a new military alliance in the making. Iran which is having trouble with the west over its nuclear programme is already pressing for a permanent membership. Some in the west felt it is an alliance build-up between China-Russia and the Muslim states within the neighbourhood. More importantly the strategic importance of the region was highlighted during the recent past Caspian Sea Summit where all five members agreed to protect the region from intruder and an attack on a member will be followed by a collective action against the intruder. An indication that any attack on Iran will be collectively responded in view of its nuclear programme. .

Iran is although in a nuclear impasse with the western countries yet Russia has been partly a supporter of Iran and more importantly obstructed several though sanction on Iran and it was responsible for the construction of Iranian light-water nuclear plant.

Russia has equally been supportive to its Slav brother Serbia over the secession of Kosovo. While supporting Serbia against Kosovo independence,

Russia has been helpful to South and North Ossetia against Georgia. In the recent times, the tension between Russia and its neighbours, European Community and the United States was over the incursion of Russian troops into Georgia under the premise of protecting Russians in two sides of Ossetia situated in Georgia. Russia has shown its willingness to the independence struggle of the Ossetian, although that will contravene the support Russia has thrown behind its Slav brother Serbia over the secession and independence of Kosovo.

Saudi Arabia is of course a traditional ally of the United States in all respect, but recent military deal between Saudi and US arch rival Russia became a stunning event. Russia welcomes the development and such kind of deal will remain issue to be watch out for in the recent times.


Social Front

Muslim community in Ukraine and Poland are developing Islamic enlightenment for themselves as well as the larger society with the hope of better Islamic understanding. The role of religion particularly Islam has been somewhat minimal in the public sphere but there is a wave for reawakening growing among the Muslim community in the recent times.

By Bakare Najimdden