Under Siege: Inter-Ethnic Relations in Abkhazia

by Tom Trier, Hedvig Lohm, David Szakonyi

Located in the northeastern corner of the Black Sea, Abkhazia was once part of Georgia but broke away from the country after the fall of the Soviet Republic. For fifteen years the region functioned as a de facto independent, though internationally unrecognized, state, until August of 2008, when the short war over South Ossetia (another breakaway territory) ended in Russia's recognition of Abkhazian and South Ossetian sovereignty. Consequently, Abkhazia has become a crucial component of Russia's struggle to redefine its global influence and a major player in its geopolitical battle with the West. Under Siege clarifies Abkhazia's ethno-political dynamics, which have played a major role in the country's state-building efforts and have come to shape the conditions under which the country's many ethnic communities live. Abkhazians, Armenians, Georgians, and Russians all call Abkhazia home, and this volume explores the effect of the government's de facto status on these groups' ideas of nationhood and continuing tensions between Georgia, Abkhazia, and Russia. This book also launches a rare investigation into the conflict brewing among human rights, minority protections, and Abkhazia's state building project.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Anyusha Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book for understanding the Abkhazian domestic situation and internal ethno-political dynamics. More specifically, it offers a detailed comparison of census and demographic statistics compiled by Georgian, Russian and the de facto government authorities to show the different ways the current sovereignty crisis is being dealt with. Though it doesn't touch upon external relations or make policy recommendations beyond expressing support for the Abkhazian current multi-vector foreign policy approach, it gives an interesting and well-reasoned analysis of the region's relationship with Georgia and how this is dealt with within its own borders.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, written in late 2008 and published in 2010, looks at the ethnic dimension of Abkhazia, and how the state is working to keep the ethnic Abkhaz identity alive amongst a sizeable minority population. Though short (only about 130 pages) it has a lot of information on the topic, and looks at things like education, government, and the human rights situation in Abkhazia. Overall the authors conclude that due to the history of the Abkhaz people, they are a lot more reluctant to promote non-Abkhaz identities, and favour the ethnic Abkhaz, though doing so is hindering the development of Abkhazia as a viable, independent state. Granted some of the opinions are a little out of date now, it is still a worthwhile book for anyone interested in the modern ethnic situation in Abkhazia.

[Kaitlin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

A through review of the different ethnicities existing in Abkhazia and how the tensions have developed and are maintained. Written in 2010 it is a little out of date but provides a solid historic view of the nations. The appendix in the back with the residing ethnicities was particularly helpful.