IREn5019 No War, No Peace: Frozen Conflicts in the
Caucasus
Syllabus
Fall 2021
Lecturer: Mgr. Zinaida Bechná, Ph.D.
Saturdays: 10:00 – 11:40, U33
Office Hours: Office # 4.67, by appointment
Office Phone: 549 49 6761
E-mail: bechna@fss.muni.cz
Goals and Objectives
The course is designed to familiarize students with unresolved conflicts in one of the most
volatile regions of the world – the Caucasus. Armed conflicts in this region represent one of
the biggest challenges that emerged with the break of the Soviet Union. Frozen conflicts in
Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh, Chechen wars, the Ingush-Ossetian conflict,
along with the multi-ethnic clashes in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria make incredibly
complex and unique cases for the analysis. Patterns of political, economic, cultural
discrimination, intensified by historical grievances, the effects of political transformation and
economic development, national doctrines, the role of external actors, have all contributed to
the no war no peace situation in this volatile region. That created a challenge for the conflict
analysis and has led to the development of different interpretations emphasizing the role of
weak states, economic depression, and external support.
The major objective of this course is to provide a solid, elaborate picture of the conflict
processes and mechanisms in the Caucasus region. This small area has a high number of
unresolved “frozen” conflicts, which might lead to an escalation in the future. In order to
understand the logic of violence and trace the path of evolution of the life cycle of these
conflicts, the course is based both on theoretical with empirical knowledge. The readings
illustrate the variety of theoretical perspectives and data collection methods to study armed
conflicts in general and the unresolved conflicts in the Caucasus region in particular.
One of the primary goals of this course is to develop the analytical skills and practice
critical analysis of the students. In order to cultivate such skills students will be required to
apply academic knowledge on to the actual situation in the ground. This will include
investigation of factors that affect conflict (re)escalation processes, the role of external
actors, democratic development and possible ways for conflict resolution.
Understanding the fragile peace arrangements or the reasons for the impossibility for
resolution is significant. Studying the evolution of changing nature of these conflicts
along with the packages of factors (both internal and external) that may reignite largescale
violence, students will explore the possible ways of resolution of these conflicts in
future.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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Course goals
By the end of the semester, students will be able to identify, analyze and evaluate who were
the conflict parties? What were the parties´ incompatible goals, values and interests? What
were the trigger events and issues at stake? How the conflicts evolved and why they have
never been resolved?
The learning outcomes of the course will enable students upon completion to:
1. Engage critically with different theories of ethnic conflicts.
2. Obtain a broad knowledge of the conflict escalations process in the Caucasus region.
3. Acquire insights of how political developments, socio-economic process and systemic
features resulted into the outbreak of violence.
4. Examine the nature of conflicts in the Caucasus with respect to factors that generates those
conflicts and their change in time.
5. Acquire knowledge of international engagement towards conflict settlement and
establishment of democratic institutions in the Caucasus.
Plagiarism
Use of material written by another person without proper attribution of referencing the source
is considered to be plagiarism. The Department of International Relations and European
Studies adheres to the university´s policy (https://www.muni.cz/study/plagiatorstvi ).
Violation of this policy will be addressed by the Disciplinary Commission. Plagiary will
receive no points and the final grade will be an F. In case of uncertainty about how to avoid
plagiarism, please follow instructions mentioned on this link
(https://www.sv.uio.no/english/studies/resources/sources-and-references/). Please follow this
link to see one of the styles of citation:
http://mve.fss.muni.cz/en/study-programs/studyagenda/citationstyle . In case you still have
questions, please consult Zinaida Bechná via email.
Requirements
I. Readings: The syllabus lists required readings below. Students are responsible for
completing all of these readings before every class and coming to class prepared
to discuss issues indicated for every session. Required readings for the course are
to be found in Study Materials folder in Information System.
II. Attendance: Attendance is not compulsory; however I will take “spot
attendance”. It means that if you are not in the class constantly I will know and
this will affect my evaluation of your performance in this course. Furthermore, we
will be discussing a lot of material for your take home exercises and examination
during class lectures, it would be in your best interest to attend regularly.
III. Take home exercises: There will be two take-home assignments during the
semester. The length of the assignment should vary between 1800 and 3600
characters. Each of the assignments will be graded between 0 and 10 points. Thus
the students can obtain up to 20 points.
1. Are the conflicts in the Caucasus ethnic? If yes, explain why? If not, what type
are the conflicts in this region? (choose only one conflict) Due to: 21 November
2020.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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2. Based on comparison of Russian and Western engagement in the Caucasus
conflicts explain, which strategy is more successful for building sustainable
stability in this region? Due to 12 December 2021.
IV. Presentation (10 points): Each student is required to present one presentation
from the assigned literature. Presentation should have a clear structure and last for
no more than 10-12 minutes.
V. Final written test: The final written test will contain 10 open questions from the
mandatory literature. You will have a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the
written test. There will be several terms of final examination in the Information
System. Final Grading: The maximum is 60 points; the minimum to complete the
course is 35 points.
A 56 – 60 points
B 51 - 55 points
C 46 - 50 points
D 41 – 45 points
E 36 – 40 points
F less than 36 points.
To receive a final grade, students have to take a part at a sufficient number of
classes as well as submit a sufficient number of take home exercises, present a
presentation and write the final written test base on compulsory literature (for
details see above).
Class Schedule:
Week 1: Introduction (15/9.2021)
Introduction to the course goals and requirements.
No readings.
Week 2: Definitions and trends of different types of internal armed conflicts
(22/9.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Shevchuk, Z. (2014): “Towards the Typology of Armed Conflict,” chapter 3 in
Kříž, Z. and Urbanovská, J.: Examining Armed Conflict: Theoretical Reflections
on Selected Aspects, MUNI Press, pp: 87-114.
Smetana, M. and Ludvík, J. (2019): “Between War and Peace: a dynamic
reconceptualization of “frozen conflict”, Asia Europe Journal, Vol. 17, pp:1-14.
Cederman, L., Wimmer, A., Min, B. (2010): “Why Do Ethnic Groups Rebel? New
Data and Analysis”, World Politics, Vol. 62, No. 1., pp.: 87-119.
Presentations:
1. Brown, M.E. (2001): “The Causes of Internal Conflict: An Overview”, in
Brown, M.E, Coté, O.R., Lynn-Jones, S.M. and Miller, S.E.: “Nationalism and
Ethnic Conflict”, The MIT Press, Cambridge, pp.: 3-25.
2. Kaufman, S. J. (2001): “Modern hatreds: The symbolic politics of ethnic war”,
Cornell University Press, chapter 2, pp. 15-48.
3. Posen, B. R. (1993): “The security Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict”, in Brown,
M.E.: “Ethnic Conflict and International Security”, pp.: 103-124.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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Week 3: From Conflict to Autonomy in the Caucasus (29/9.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Cornell, S.E. (2002): “Autonomy as a Source of Conflict: Caucasian Conflicts in
Theoretical Perspective”, World Politics, Vol.54. No.2. pp.: 245-276.
Presentations:
4. Sarapov, A. (2015): From Conflict to Autonomy in the Caucasus. The Soviet
Union and the making of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
Routledge, chapters 6 and chapter 7, pp: 125- 169.
5. Torun, N. (2021): “Soviet Nationality Policy: Impact on Ethnic Conflict in
Abkhazia and South Ossetia”, Journal of Black Sea Studies, Issue 70, pp. 245-263.
Week 4: Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (6/10.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Cheterian, Vicken (2009): War and Peace in the Caucasus: Ethnic Conflict and the
New Geopolitics. New York: Columbia University Press, chapter 3, pp: 87-154.
Presentations:
6. Broers, L. (2015): “From “frozen conflict” to enduring rivalry: reassessing the
Nagorny Karabakh conflict”, Nationalities Papers, Vol. 43(4), pp: 556-576.
7. German, T. (2012): “The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict between Azerbaijan and
Armenia: Security issue in the Caucasus”, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs,
Vol. 32, pp. 216-229.
Week 5: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict today (13/10.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Broers, Laurence (2019): “Land for Peace,” chapter 8 in “Armenia and Azerbaijan,
Anatomy of a Rivalry”, Edinburgh University Press, pp.: 276-316.
Thomas de Waal (2013): “Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan Through Peace
and War,” chapter 19: “2001-2012: Deadlock and Estrangement,” NewYork: NYU
Press, pp: 284 – 304.
Presentations:
8. Gasparyan, Arsen (2019): “Understanding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict:
domestic politics and twenty-five years of fruitless negations 1994-2018,”
Caucasus Survey, Vol. 7, No. 3., pp.: 235-250.
9. German, Tracey (2012): “The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia: Security Issue in the Caucasus”, Journal of Muslim Minority
Affairs, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp.: 216-229.
10. Gamaghelyan, Philip and Rumyantsev Sergey (2021): “The road to the Second
Karabakh War: the role of ethno-centric narratives in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict,” Caucasus Survey, pp.: 1-17.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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Week 6: Georgian conflicts I (20/10.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Nodia, Ghia (1997): “Causes and Visions of Conflicts in Ablkhazia,” Berkley
Program in Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies, Working Paper Series, pp.: 1-52.
Presentations:
11. Petersen, Alexandros (2008): “The 1992-1993 Georgia-Abkhazia War: A
forgotten Conflict”, Caucasian Review of International Affairs, Vol. 2., No.4.
pp.: 187-199.
12. Shevchuk, Zinaida (2014): The Evolving Nature of the Armed Conflict in
South Ossetia: From “Frozen” to “Hot” and Back, Defence and Strategy, Vol.
14, No. 1, pp. 53-68.
Week 7: Georgian conflicts II (27/10.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Felgenhauer, P. (2009): “After August 7: The Escalation of the Russia-Georgia
War”, chapter 9 in Cornell, S. E., Starr, S. F.: “The Guns of August 2008 Russia’s
War in Georgia”, M. E. Sharpe, Armonk, New York. pp. 162-180.
Welt, Cory (2010): The Thawing of a Frozen Conflict: The Internal Security
Dilemma and the 2004 Prelude to the Russo-Georgian War, Europe-Asia Studies
Vol. 62, Issue 1, pp. 63-97.
Presentations:
13. Karagiannis, Emmanuel (2013): “The 2008 Russian-Georgian war via the lens
of offensive Realism”, European Security, Vol. 22, No. 1., pp.: 74-93.
14. Nodia, Ghia (2012): “The August 2008 war: main consequences for Georgia
and its conflicts”, Nationalities Papers, Vol. 40. No.5., pp.: 721-738.
Week 8: Armed Conflicts in the Northerns Caucasus: the Russian-Chechen armed
conflicts (3/11.2021)
Kramer, Mark (2004): “The Perils of Counterinsurgency. Russian’s War in
Chechnya”, International Security, Vol. 29, No. 3., pp.: 5-63.
Presentations:
15. Lyall, Jason (2010): “Are Coethnics More Effective Couterinsurgents?
Evidence from the Second Chechen War”, The American Political Science
Review, Vol. 104., No 1., pp.: 1-20.
16. Souleimanov, Emil; Ditrych, Ondrej (2008): “The Internationalization of
Russian-Chechen Conflict: Myths and Reality”, Europe-Assia Studies, Vol.
60., No 7., pp.: 1199-1222.
17. Marsh, Christopher, (2016): “The desecularization of conflict: the role of
religion in Russia’s confrontation with Chechnya, 1785-Today,” The Review
of Faith & International Affairs, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp: 66-79.
Week 9: Armed Conflicts in the Northerns Caucasus II (10/11.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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Cornell, E. Svante (2001): “Conflicts in the North Caucasus,” chapter 6 in “Small
Nations and Great Powers. A Study of ethnopolitical conflict in the Caucasus”,
London and New York, Routledge Curzon, pp.: 241-274.
Presentations:
18. Rezvani, Babak (2010): “The Ossetian-Ingush Confrontation: Explaining a
Horizontal Conflict”, Iran and the Caucasus, Vol. 14., pp.: 419-430.
19. Bruce, Robert and Kisriev, Enver (2009): “Conflict and Catharsis: Why
Dagestanis Fought to Remain in Russia”, chapter 6, in: “Dagestan. Russian
Hegemony and Islamic Resistance in the Northern Caucasus”, M.E. Sharpe, New
York, London, pp.: 121-155.
Week 10: National holiday, no classes, reading week, preparation for the first takehome
exercise (17/11.2021).
Week 11: Round table with the Georgian ambassador (24/11.2021)
Week 12: No peace no war: the role of Russia in the Caucasian conflicts
(1/12.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Rotaru, Vasile (2018): “Russia, the EU and the Eastern Partnership: Buildinh
Bridges or Digging Trenches?”, Chapter 2: “EU-Russia Relations between the
Cold War and Georgian War” , Columbia University Press, pp.: 39-63.
Kazantsev, Andrei.A., Rutland, Peter, Medvedeva Svetlana. M and Safranchuk,
Ivan. A. (2020): “Russia’s policy in the frozen conflicts” of the post-Soviet space:
from ethno-politics to geopolitics,” Caucasus Survey, Vol. 8, No. 2., pp.: 142-162.
Russell, John (2006): “Obstacles to peace in Chechnya: What scope for
international involvement?, Europe-Asia Studies, Vol. 58, No. 6., pp.: 941-964.
Presentations:
20. Hoch, T; Souleimanov E. and Baranec, T. (2014): Russia’s role in the official
peace process in South Ossetia, Bulletin of Geography, Socio- economic Series
Vol. 23, no. 23, pp: 53-71.
21. Gerrits, A. WM, and Max, B. (2016): Russian patronage over Abkhazia and
South Ossetia: implications for conflict resolution, East European Politics Vol.
32, no. 3, pp: 297-313.
Week 13: No peace no war: the Western role in the Caucasian conflicts
(8/12.2021)
Mandatory readings:
Kornely Kakachia, Bidzina Lebanidze, Shalva Dzebisashvili (2020): "Game of
(open) Doors: NATO-Georgian Relations and Challenges for Sustainable
Partnership", Policy Paper No.18, Georgian Institute of Politics, pp. 1:22.
Whitman, Richard.G, Wolf, Stefan (2010): “The EU as a conflict manager? The
case of Georgia and its implications”, International Affairs, Vol. 86, No. 1., pp. 87-
107.
Thomas De Waal (2017): “Enhancing the EU’s Engagement with Separatist
Territories”, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, pp.: 1-6.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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Presentations:
22. Whitman, R. (2011): Normative Power Europe. Empirical and Theoretical
Perspectives, chapter 4 by Stewart. E.J.: Mind the Normative Gap? The EU in
the South Caucasus, Palrgrave, pp: 65 – 82.
23. Tsygankov, Andrei (2013): “The Russia-NATO mistrust: Ethnophobia and the
double expansion to contain the “Russian Bear”.” Communist and PostCommunist
Studies Vol. 46, Issue 1, pp. 179-188.
24. German, Tracey, C. (2007): “Visibly invisible: the EU Engagement in the
Conflict Resolution in the South Caucasus”, European Security, Vol. 16, No 3,
pp.: 357-374.
Masaryk University, Faculty of Social Studies
Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
T: +420 549 49 1910, E: info@fss.muni.cz, www.fss.muni.cz
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