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Papers by Nona Mikhelidze

Abstract This paper focuses on the European Union's practice in resolving conflicts in its ne... more Abstract This paper focuses on the European Union's practice in resolving conflicts in its neighbourhood. It analyses the extent to which the EU lives up to its declarations and proceeds multilaterally, in cooperation with other international actors. Two case studies ...

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 03932720802280651, Aug 20, 2008

Since the late 1980s, research on political Islam has been much in vogue in Europe and the US. Th... more Since the late 1980s, research on political Islam has been much in vogue in Europe and the US. This phenomenon is typically viewed as an expression of religion rather than of politics. Precisely because of the assumed religious underpinnings of political Islam, most ...

Between the two competitors for the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Europe-Nabucco West and the Tr... more Between the two competitors for the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Europe-Nabucco West and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)-the winner is the latter, a project designed to transport Caspian gas via Greece and Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy. The EU welcomed the decision of the Shah Deniz consortium. Yet the political objective of the Southern Corridor was to diversify gas supply to Europe and reduce the energy dependence of some EU member states on Russia. With TAP as the winner, it is questionable whether the EU has truly met these goals. As for Azerbaijan, the selection of TAP can be viewed as a commercially sound decision and a political balancing act by Baku to gain access to European markets and to avoid angering the Kremlin. Yet this choice came only after President Alyev failed to convince the EU to take a clearer stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution process in exchange for Nabucco West. For its part, the EU has failed to be a credible actor in the region, able to defend its interests by diversifying energy supplies, decreasing the energy dependence of some member states on Russia and contributing to regional security in the South Caucasus.

... by Nona Mikhelidze * ... Considering the fact that, in the EU's view, conflict resol... more ... by Nona Mikhelidze * ... Considering the fact that, in the EU's view, conflict resolution in the South Caucasus is possible only through long-term goals related to democracy and development, this study evaluates the impact of the European Neighbourhood Policy on these long-term ...

Chap, 2009

NONA MIKHELIDZE AND NATHALIE TOCCI ince the late 1980s and particularly since the 9/11 attacks in... more NONA MIKHELIDZE AND NATHALIE TOCCI ince the late 1980s and particularly since the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, research on political Islam has been much in vogue in Europe and the United States. Whether openly stated or inadvertently assumed, ...

International Peacekeeping, 2016

Rome, IAI, April 2020, 5 p. (IAI Commentaries ; 20|25), 2020

Millions of Russians are already facing growing poverty and unemployment without any indication w... more Millions of Russians are already facing growing poverty and unemployment without any indication what their life may look like after COVID-19. Setting aside the limitations of the healthcare system and the risk of not receiving necessary and timely medical care, losing a source of income is what scares people the most. Notwithstanding these mounting difficulties at home, the Kremlin has not forgotten the international domain. Moscow has lost no time in seeking to flex its soft power muscles, sending “humanitarian aid” to a number of Western countries, beginning with Italy.

Turkey and Transatlantic Relations, 2017

Nona Mikhelidze examines Turkish strategic objectives and priorities in the Black Sea region with... more Nona Mikhelidze examines Turkish strategic objectives and priorities in the Black Sea region with particular attention to security, trade, and energy issues. She examines whether Ankara’s policymaking has been driven by strategic partnerships with neighboring countries or by a pragmatism that has been often perceived as opportunism. Russian assertiveness in the Black Sea region, the ensuing Russian recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, along with the Russian annexation of Crimea have posed new challenges for both European and American foreign policy in the Black Sea region. Mikhelidze sees an opportunity for Turkey, as a regional power with close ties to major players in the region, to be a broker in providing energy security, and to mediate in conf lict resolution in and beyond the region.

Study of EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service, 2018

With the aim to understand if and how Georgia is progressing in the implementation of the Associa... more With the aim to understand if and how Georgia is progressing in the
implementation of the Association Agreement (AA), this paper
explores the state of Georgia’s development of good governance,
the rule of law, justice and the independence of the judiciary,
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including
the freedom of mass media, as well as progress within the economic
sector. The study shows that the country faces systemic challenges
with the implementation of the political part of the AA, whereas the
implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Agreement (DCFTA) can claim some success.
The established form of governance has given birth to a functional
but substantially hybrid state characterised by a top-down form of
governance, personalisation of domestic politics and centralisation
of power. What we have from the European Union’sside towards the
state-building process in Georgia is the accommodation of local
cultures of governance, as the EU’s rhetoric about Georgia being a
the frontrunner of the Eastern Partnership and a success story when it
comes to the development of democracy is in sharp contrast with
the actual reality. Bearing these conclusions in mind, the paper
produces recommendations for the EU on how to frame its future
policies towards Georgia in order to improve the implementation
process.

International Spectator, 2008

International Spectator, 2009

The Georgian-Russian war in August 2008 and Russia's ensuing recognition of South Ossetia's and A... more The Georgian-Russian war in August 2008 and Russia's ensuing recognition of South Ossetia's and Abkhazia's independence have generated a new context in relations between the EU, the US and Russia. The crisis created new sources of instability in the entire post-Soviet space, highlighting a new form of Russian revisionism and revealing the limitations of Western policies in what the Kremlin views as its sphere of influence. Caucasian-Central Asian states now wonder whether it is worth complicating their relations with Moscow for the sake of limited or uncertain support from the West. Even if the long-term repercussions of the Russian-Georgian crisis remains unpredictable, one thing is clear: the EU and the US should engage with the region more intensively. In the long run, only economic development in the region, genuine democratisation and real prospects of becoming anchored in Euro-Atlantic structures, alongside effective confidence-building measures between the parties, will be able to induce the secessionist regions to rethink their future.

The paper describes and analyses the role of civil society in five conflict cases -Abkhazia, Nago... more The paper describes and analyses the role of civil society in five conflict cases -Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, Western Sahara and Israel/ Palestine. It evaluates the relative effectiveness of civil society organisations (CSOs) and assesses the potential and limits of CSO involvement in conflicts. In particular it concentrates on civil society activities in the fields of peace training and education, including formal and non-formal education, as well as research and media work. The research also identifies the obstacles that local third sector is faced with, examining experiences and lessons learned. The study then presents critical assessments of local CSO contributions to conflict transformation and concludes with a set of suggestions for local and mid-level civil society actors involved in these five conflict cases and beyond. This paper is an overview study, to provide ideas and documentation to the more detailed empirical research carried out in the context of the MICROCON Work Package 'Conflict in the European Neighbourhood'.