The Caucasus has been, and, judging by recent events, still is, a zone of civilizational fault lines that are highly conflict-ridden. Similar zones exist in other regions of the world, such as the Balkans, where the traces of acute interethnic conflicts are likely to persist for a long time after the dissolution of the unified federal state. The recent incursion of Islamic extremists into the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, among other things, gives grounds to speak of the ever-increasing role of the religious factor. It is precisely this card that is being played by those who are кровно interested in ousting Russia from the North Caucasus and reducing its influence in the Transcaucasian republics. A publication on this subject, which appeared in an influential American newspaper, stated that the West should use the worsening situation in southern Russia to its advantage, for example, by sending its troops to the Transcaucasian republics to ensure the safety of their leaders. Next, intensify military relations with Turkey. A similar scenario was used by the West in the Balkan Peninsula. We are all familiar with the results. So what is it - hopelessness? An irresistible confrontation? Not necessarily. Russia has a successful track record of solving similar problems. And it has been accumulating it for centuries. For many centuries, Russia has been developing into a multinational power under the pressure of specific geopolitical circumstances. The defining factor has been the long-term alignment of the interests of the peoples in the vast expanses of Europe and Asia, which has contributed to their predominantly voluntary unification. This pattern is also evident in the Caucasus. Here is an historical example to support this claim. In 1826, during the invasion of the Persian troops, a small Russian detachment, despite the superiority of the enemy, was forced to defend Shusha. The fortress could not be captured due to the steadfast resistance of the defender ... Читать далее