DOC The Caucasus: An Introduction by Thomas de Waal in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Early ultra-nationalists like Gamsakhurdia alienate minority groupsBy Fred P.The title seems to indicate the entire history and the entire region; but this book is really focused on the post-Soviet saga of the three republics of the south Caucasus: Armenia; Georgia; and Azerbaijan. A smattering of early history; a bit about the Armenian genocide and the short period of independence after WWI; some early Soviet political conditioning; and then the complicated events of recent history. There was a short abortive attempt to form a regional entity in 1918; but internal strife soon defaulted to the three countries with unstable borders and Turkish forces pressing from the west. Soviet designs first focus on the oilfields at Baku; and then spill over into the rest of the area. Practical Soviet and Turkish realists settle on stable borders. The south Caucasus make out fairly well even in the terror; with severe rioting in Georgia protesting Khrushchev’s anti-Stalin speech. Nationalism cultivated up to the Gorbachev era. Then the break-up origins attributed to the independence of Nagorny Karabakh. Azerbaijan is hampered in the war by internal divisions and Armenians consolidate the corridor. Meanwhile Georgia fills with strife; with breakaway regions (Abkazia; Ossetia; and Ajaria) and private militia groups (“paramilitary charities”) running amuck. Early ultra-nationalists like Gamsakhurdia alienate minority groups. Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiate but remain stalemated; no one recognizes Nagorny as a real country; and Russia attempts to play politics rather than resolving the festering problems. One bit of progress is the Baku to Mediterranean pipeline through Georgia and Turkey; which grates on Russia by lessening its hold on energy sources. Georgia manages to absorb Ajaria; but the other two enclaves are a problem. Shevardnadze is forced to step down in the rose revolution of 2003; but Saakashvili soon engenders protest of his own. Perhaps relying too much on western support; the war in Ossetia in October 2008 spins out of control and Russia ends up guaranteeing the “independence” of Abkazia and S Ossetia. In fact they are being absorbed into Russia in a repeat of age-old Caucasian international politics. At least there are real signs of reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey. And interesting to see the background behind the Armenia I got to know in my work there in 1994 through1996.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Engaging and Informative ReadBy Ryan MoranThis relatively short book tackles the difficult issue of providing a complete; yet succinct; introduction of arguably one of the most tumultuous regions in the world. The Caucasus is particularly difficult to digest because it has been a scene of conflict for so many years. De Waal gives a detailed overview of the Caucus covering all the way back to the Armenian conversion to Christianity. The book does not read like an ordinary history textbook; the language is very manageable and the inserts about historical figures are meant to keep the reader engaged. It never occurred to me that Stalin could have had such an abnormal sense of nationalism; but the excerpt “How Georgian Was Stalin?” gave great insight into the infamous dictator’s past life. Maps; tables; and graphics appear throughout the text which helps keep the reader engaged and cognizant of the geographical location of the Caucasus. Overall; The Caucasus; was a very engaging read and gave me a new perspective on a region that I did not know much about. Throughout the introduction de Waal seems to suggest that with every new beginning in one location there seems to arise apprehension for that positivity in another place (226). De Waal outlines how David “The Builder” and Queen Tamar helped Georgia reach a golden age throughout the 11th and 12th centuries; but then the Mongols came in and conquered the Southern Caucasus. He also notes how very sought after cities; like Tbilisi or Baku; were constantly being sieged because of their inherent value. De Waal is also supporting the claim that the assimilation forced on the Caucasus and its people never really lasts and the individual cultures shine through even the nastiest of occupations. It is important to note that not only does this book give a fantastic overview of the Caucasus from 300 AD on; but it also covers current events. De Waal argues that the Soviet influence actually benefitted those Caucasian nations searching for national independence despite the Soviets using fear as a unifying tactic. The introduction of Soviet internal passports that identified citizens based on nationality allowed Caucasian peoples to have a sense of independence.De Waal goes on to argue that even though the Soviet era left a strong legacy in the Southern Caucasus (mass literacy; industrialization; urban lifestyles) the Caucasian peoples would continue fighting for their land and respective freedoms as long as the political instability lasted.After reading The Caucasus I found the region to be a hidden gem that has been labeled as problematic just so others can claim resources as their own. Knowing the history of this tumultuous region is imperative to understanding why the conflicts of today occur. Trying to comprehend this blessed; yet cursed; region is an anthropological journey and I wouldn’t suggest beginning that journey with anyone other than Thomas De Waal and his introduction to the Caucasus.11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. A wonderful introductory overview of a very complex placeBy Graham H. SeibertGeography is destiny; as de Waal lays out in his opening chapter. The Caucasus is defined by the so-named mountain range; and the Lesser Caucasus which runs through Armenia and western Azerbaijan.The mountains have historically presented a formidible barrier. Only in the last couple of centuries; under the Russians; has there been a road passage north to Russia; or even an east-west internal link within Georgia. There is water to the east and west; mountains to the southwest; desert to the southeast. These natural boundaries frame an area which corresponds in size and population to Florida.These barriers have limited trade; warfare and migration. The result is numerous pockets of small populations of diverse people. De Waal says the Arabs called it Djabal al-alsun; the "mountain of the languages." They include the remanants of once widespread ancient peoples such as the Sarmartins and several others which have resisted; in their hidden valleys; the sweeps of armies and empires. On the other hand; however; seaborne trade has been a dominant factor along both the Black Sea and Caspian coastlines. The waters brought pockets of trading peoples such as Pontic Greeks and Jews.It is the meeting place of civilizations and religions: the southern boundary of the Russian Empire; the Western boundary of the Ottomans; and the northern boundary of the Persians. It is a patchwork of Christian and Muslim. Although each has claimed political authority off and on over the centuries; and traces of their influence linger; de Waal makes a strong case that the peoples of the Caucasus have retained their own individual characteristics; and that there are several traits unique to the Caucasus which characterize many or most of the peoples.Having provided this background; de Waal leads us fairly quickly through ancient and medieval history up to the czarist conquest of the 3 countries; Georgia; Armenia; and Azerbaijan; in the 19th century. He describes their efforts to integrate them into Empire and the abortive attempts to establish independent states before the Bolsheviks took over.Then we get to modern times. Problems in the Caucasus prefigured the fall of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev was unwilling to use extreme force to subdue internecine warfare among the Soviet Socialist republics of the Caucasus; and they unraveled. Abkhazia; Armenia; and Georgia spun themselves free; after which South Ossetia; Abkhazia and Nagorno Karabakh spun free from them; generally with bloodshed.Other reviewers have focused on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh; and the treatment of Armenians in general.. I will only note that Armenians; like the Jews; are singularly articulate in their own defense. De Waal gives quite colorful descriptions of the national characters of the three nationalities. As an anecdote; he says that the Georgians claim that once Jew can cheat three Greeks; but one Armenian can cheat three Jews.The late 1990s and early 2000's were a period of economic development and peace; but not peace treaties and normal relations. It came apart again in 2008 with the war between Russia and Georgia. I find de Waal's treatment of this conflict especially valuable. Contrary to what the American press reported; but consistent with what I read in Europe; the Georgians started the hot war. They had had ample provocation from Russia; but they ignored advice from Americans and others to avoid conflict.Here in Ukraine we read about the "Georgian miracle" whereby they have supposedly gotten rid of the communist era corruption and invented a new society. Either de Waal hasn't heard about it or he finds it not worth reporting. He describes Michael Saakshavili as a strongman; albeit intelligent and sophisticated; of the more typical post-communist mold. He is not very sanguine about the progress of the other two countries in reducing corruption; either. This will be a major issue for them if and when they want closer integration with Europe.