Human Interest

For post-Soviet countries, power and fear might be freedom's greatest challenges. On one hand, there is a dominant religious institution -  Eastern Orthodox Christianity - seeking to grow its influence and power. This might be a goal for a religion that is not popular elsewhere around the world (many Americans only know of Protestants and Roman Catholics, completely oblivious to the third major branch). They may see their geographic location as especially important - serving as a home-base of spiritual operations to launch evangelical missions, build coalitions, and influence national policies that shape society in a way their particular brand of Christianity approves of. On the other hand is fear of extremist groups which have resorted to terrorism to achieve their objectives. Countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan have all placed restrictions on minority faiths, such as Muslims and Protestants, requiring these groups to register with the state. Geographically, the Islamic world, which is in a constant state of turmoil, lies directly south of the post-Soviet Union, making Islam a key focus as immigrants and ideas easily flow into the region. This need for state approval is a form of control which clearly hampers independence and freedom of expression.  The irony in all of this is that fear of extremism leads to more extreme measures of security. This toxic process will only sow discord, distrust, and animosity between sub-populations leading to civil unrest.  

It is not surprising to me as a history major that they is still suppression of religious freedom in many former soviet territories. The more westernized countries have less of an issue than the countries farther from the west. This is partially due to them wanting to join Nato which requires religious freedom for joining. The more Islamic countries to the south seem to have the most difficulties with religious freedoms (as do a majority of Islamic nations). Russia would also have some problems from years of atheism being forced by the communist party. Somehow the Eastern Orthodox religion was able to hold on through out it all, but they seem to be the only;y religion openly accepted in Russia.  

After years and years of suppression under the Atheistic USSR, many would not be unreasonable to have believed that when the USSR fell they would be able to practice their religion however they would like. Unfortunately, nothing changes in a day and when fear is a tactic learned from their former occupiers. Many countries still use the growing terrorism in the region to suppress their own citizen's rights to religious freedom.  Countries such as Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are of great concern where Religious minorities, mainly Muslims, are rounded up and registered, monitored during religious practices or severely restricted. It is not a surprise that this is happening is former-USSR countries, but you must understand it takes time for deeply rooted behaviors to change. 

This video discusses the Caspian Sea and it’s importance to the countries that surround it. The body of water is significant because of it energy resources that are underneath and surrounding it. However many of these reserves remain untouched because of conflict with the surrounding countries even though discussions about how to disperse the land have been discussed for 20+ years

The Caspian Sea in landlocked with Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran. The Seas strategic importance lies with its large energy resources because it contains large volumes of oil and natural gas reserves. It is estimated that the Caspian contains 48 billions barrels of oil. Many of the oil reserves have not been tapped because there are disputes among the five countries surrounding the sea. They do not know where to mark the maritime borders and how to split up the energy resources. Negotiations to establish maritime borders have been under way for nearly two decades. They have not agreed on any proposals that accommodate all five states. I believe that there has not been an agreement because all five states probably want the most they can get and ae reluctant to give up anything less than what they believe they deserve.

The Caspian Sea is a landlocked body of water that is surrounded by five different countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Its importance can be linked to its natural resources. With an abundance of oil and possibly natural gas all countries have had disputes over their respective maritime borders. These disputes occur as many of the oil reserves are untapped and thus a great source of economic potential. No proposals have been accepted by all five states and with other interests such as Europe looking to trade it will likely take a while to be settled.