Today’s Issues:

Russia and the Republics

The collapse of the powerful Soviet government has left many of its former republics facing difficult ethnic, economic, and environmental challenges.

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SECTION 1 Regional Conflict

SECTION 2 The Struggle for Economic Reform

Today’s Issues:

Russia and the Republics

Case Study The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

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Section 1

Regional Conflict • Regional tensions, once under Soviet

control, have flared up in Russia and the Republics.

• Some of the most violent conflicts have occurred in the Caucasus region.

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A Troubled Caucasus

Land of Great Complexity • Collapse of Soviet government weakens central

authority in Republics- crime and religious or ethnic conflict increase

• Caucasus—area of Caucasus Mountains between Black, Caspian seas- north: Russian republics Chechnya, Dagestan,

Ingushetia, North Ossetia- south: independent countries Armenia,

Azerbaijan, Georgia • California-size area is home to dozens of

languages, 50 ethnic groups • Groups fight violently for independent territories

after USSR falls

SECTION

1 Regional Conflict

Continued . . .NEXT

SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Chechnya • Chechnya republic remains part of Russia after

USSR collapse • Russia invades twice in 1990s to block Chechnyan

independence- invades in 1994 and soon controls 2/3 of country,

capital of Grozny- rebels fight from mountain hideouts, force 1996

peace agreement- bombings in Moscow lead Russia to invade again

in 1999

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Continued . . .

SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Georgia • Georgia’s Ossetian people fight the Georgian army

in early 1990s- seek to unite South Ossetia (Georgia) with North

Ossetia (Russia)• Abkhazia region of Georgia declares independence

in 1992- rebels force Georgian population (250,000) to

leave- Georgian troops driven out, but region still in

ruins

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Continued . . .

SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Armenia and Azerbaijan • South of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan fight

over territory- Armenia wants Nagorno-Karabakh, a

mountainous area in Azerbaijan- region is 3/4 ethnic Armenian

• Dispute rages in early 1920s, but kept under control by Soviets- fighting resumed in late 1980s until 1994

cease-fire- by then tens of thousands dead, nearly a

millionrefugees

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Hope on the Horizon?

Can the Conflicts be Stopped? • U.S. hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks in 2001 • Chechnyan fighting causes high casualties for

Russians, Chechnyans- once-high public support for war is declining- economic cost of war is a burden

SECTION

1

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Section 2

The Struggle for Economic Reform • Russia has struggled to move from a

command economy to a market economy.

• Russia’s enormous size and widespread criminal activity have made economic reform difficult.

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Steps Toward Capitalism

Privatization • After Soviet collapse Russia embraces capitalism

- removes price controls in 1992; prices of goodsincrease 250%

• Also in 1992, Russia begins process of privatization- sells government-owned businesses to private

individuals, companies • Public buy businesses with vouchers to be repaid

with future profits- business failures, unpaid vouchers lead to 1998

economic crash • Still, by 2000, 60% of workforce employed in private

sector

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2

Continued . . .

The Struggle for Economic Reform

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SECTION

2

continued Steps Toward Capitalism

The High Cost of Economic Change • Since the 1998 crash, Russia’s economy has slowly

recovered • In spite of this, 40% of Russians still far below

poverty line • Some wonder if things had maybe been better

under Soviets

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Obstacles to Economic Reform

Distance Decay • Distance decay—long-distance communication,

transportation are hard- Russia spans 11 time zones, has 89 regional

governments- central government in Moscow is weak- difficult to get distant officials to enforce national

reform programs • President Vladimir Putin creates 7 large federal

districts in 2000- governor-generals will force regional officials to

follow reform orders

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2

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Continued . . .

SECTION

2

continued Obstacles to Economic Reform

Organized Crime • “Russian mafia” criminal organizations grow rapidly

in 1990s- control 40% of private companies, 60% of state-

owned companies- mafia creates own economy, expands outside of

Russia• Organized crime slows economic reform by

rewarding illegal activity- government cannot tax such activity

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Future Prospects • Rising tax, customs revenues could lead to higher

living standards

Case Study

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

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BACKGROUND • The former Soviet Union’s nuclear programs have

become a problem • poorly constructed nuclear power stations are not

being maintained • nuclear waste dumps are decaying • These issues pose a threat to the region’s people

and environment

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

Case Study

An Unwelcome Legacy

Nuclear Uncertainties • Break up of USSR leaves fate of Soviet

nuclear weapons unclear- instead of 1 country with weapons, there

are 15 independent republics- Where are the weapons? Are they safe?

Where are the nuclear scientists? • Also facing problems with aging, poorly built

nuclear reactors- many are same design as one at 1986

Chernobyl disaster

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Case Study

The Consequences of Collapse

Political Tensions • Nuclear issues create tension between

regions, other nations, U.S. • U.S. task force in 2000 highlights nuclear

security threat- fears grow that Russian nuclear materials

could be stolen, misused- recommends $30 billion package to help

keep weapons safe

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Continued . . .

Case Study

Economic Health • Many regional leaders reluctant to shut down

Soviet nuclear reactors- it would be too expensive to build new non-

nuclear plants • Some republics’ steps to revive their

economies are questionable- in 2001, Russia’s Duma (legislature) approved nuclear dump plan- hope to earn $21 billion by storing other

countries’ nuclear waste- Russian environmentalists are upset over

the plan NEXT

continued The Consequences of Collapse

Continued . . .

Case Study

Environmental Prospects • Some hope that region’s environmental

outlook can improve • In 2000, Ukraine shut down last active

Chernobyl reactor- hope to build protective dome for disaster

site • In 2000, a U.S.-funded treatment plant

opened near the White Sea- facility treats radioactive waste from

Russian nuclear submarines- submarine nuclear waste formerly dumped

in the sea NEXT

continued The Consequences of Collapse

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