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The aim of this study is to reveal the Caucasus policy of the Russian Federation (RF). In general, RF's South Caucasus policy and North Caucasus policy are discussed separately in the literature. However, considering especially security policies of the RF, it is possible to see that the region is actually handled holistically. In the post-Cold War period, the Caucasus formed one of the most dynamic areas of RF's domestic, foreign and security policy and almost served as a testing ground for analyzing Moscow's reaction to the developments. While the RF is trying to keep the North Caucasus within its borders with a focus on Chechnya, it wants to keep the South Caucasus states under its control within the framework of the "near abroad" policy and to be the only effective power in this region. The basic assumption of the study is that the Caucasus policy of the RF includes a holistic approach, that is, the policies of the South Caucasus and the North Caucasus complement each other. Within the framework of the recent developments, the influence and control of the RF on the Caucasus has increased even more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the greatest obstacles to security and stability in the South Caucasus. Basically, within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, peace talks haven't produced any result so far. Continuing occupation of 20% of the Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, nearly 600.000 IDP's in Azerbaijan, the increase of Azerbaijan's military spending and the political and military leaders' rhetoric that the occupied territories of Azerbaijan will be liberated by using military force increase the likelihood of getting a new war. But the war between Russia and Georgia in 2008, for the possible military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, requires caution of Azerbaijan. At this point the most important factor to take into account for Azerbaijan is Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]