| Author (Corporate) | International Crisis Group |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Europe Report |
| Series Details | No.228, January 2014 |
| Publication Date | January 2014 |
| Content Type | Report |
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The bombings in the south of Russia in early 2014 could prove a precursor to more violence and instability in the Caucasus if Moscow does not abandon repression for political dialogue. In a report, Too Far, Too Fast: Sochi, Tourism and Conflict in the Caucasus, the International Crisis Group explores the opportunities and dangers that the Sochi Winter Olympic games and the North Caucasus Resorts project hold for the region’s security. While earlier efforts to engage moderate Salafis showed promise, President Vladimir Putin’s heavy-handed religious policy and security measures risk increasing tensions in the conflict-torn area. Recent attacks, including two in Volgograd, suggest that Islamist terrorists may try to strike across the country and embarrass Moscow during the Olympics, the preparations of which have been beset by allegations of abuses against the local populace. Beyond the immediate risk, they underline the urgent need to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the North Caucasus conflicts before rolling out fully an ambitious tourism project in republics that still have active insurgencies or have been seriously affected by conflict. |
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| Source Link | https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/too-far-too-fast-sochi-tourism-and-conflict-caucasus |
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| Countries / Regions | Russia |
