The collapse of the Soviet Union left its former republics facing challenges. Regional tensions and conflicts have flared up, particularly in the Caucasus region where groups fight over independent territories. Russia and the republics have also struggled with economic reform as they transitioned from a command to a market economy. Additionally, the Soviet legacy of poorly built nuclear power stations and decaying nuclear waste poses environmental and security threats.

1. Today’s Issues:
Russia and the Republics
The collapse of the powerful Soviet government has
left many of its former republics facing difficult
ethnic, economic, and environmental challenges.
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2. SECTION 1 Regional Conflict
SECTION 2 The Struggle for Economic Reform
Today’s Issues:
Russia and the Republics
Case Study The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy
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3. Section 1
Regional Conflict
• Regional tensions, once under Soviet
control, have flared up in Russia and the
Republics.
• Some of the most violent conflicts have
occurred in the Caucasus region.
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4. A Troubled Caucasus
Land of Great Complexity
• Collapse of Soviet government weakens central
authority in Republics
- crime and religious or ethnic conflict increase
• Caucasus—area of Caucasus Mountains between
Black, Caspian seas
- north: Russian republics Chechnya, Dagestan,
Ingushetia, North Ossetia
- south: independent countries Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia
• California-size area is home to dozens of
languages, 50 ethnic groups
• Groups fight violently for independent territories
after USSR falls
SECTION
1 Regional Conflict
Continued . . .
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5. SECTION
1
continued A Troubled Caucasus
Chechnya
• Chechnya republic remains part of Russia after
USSR collapse
• Russia invades twice in 1990s to block Chechnyan
independence
- invades in 1994 and soon controls 2/3 of country,
capital of Grozny
- rebels fight from mountain hideouts, force 1996
peace agreement
- bombings in Moscow lead Russia to invade again
in 1999
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Continued . . .

6. SECTION
1
continued A Troubled Caucasus
Georgia
• Georgia’s Ossetian people fight the Georgian army
in early 1990s
- seek to unite South Ossetia (Georgia) with North
Ossetia (Russia)
• Abkhazia region of Georgia declares independence
in 1992
- rebels force Georgian population (250,000) to
leave
- Georgian troops driven out, but region still in
ruins
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Continued . . .

7. SECTION
1
continued A Troubled Caucasus
Armenia and Azerbaijan
• South of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan fight
over territory
- Armenia wants Nagorno-Karabakh, a
mountainous area in Azerbaijan
- region is 3/4 ethnic Armenian
• Dispute rages in early 1920s, but kept under control
by Soviets
- fighting resumed in late 1980s until 1994
cease-fire
- by then tens of thousands dead, nearly a
million
refugees
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8. Hope on the Horizon?
Can the Conflicts be Stopped?
• U.S. hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks in 2001
• Chechnyan fighting causes high casualties for
Russians, Chechnyans
- once-high public support for war is declining
- economic cost of war is a burden
SECTION
1
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9. Section 2
The Struggle for
Economic Reform
• Russia has struggled to move from a
command economy to a market
economy.
• Russia’s enormous size and widespread
criminal activity have made economic
reform difficult.
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10. Steps Toward Capitalism
Privatization
• After Soviet collapse Russia embraces capitalism
- removes price controls in 1992; prices of goods
increase 250%
• Also in 1992, Russia begins process of
privatization
- sells government-owned businesses to private
individuals, companies
• Public buy businesses with vouchers to be repaid
with future profits
- business failures, unpaid vouchers lead to 1998
economic crash
• Still, by 2000, 60% of workforce employed in private
sector
SECTION
2
Continued . . .
The Struggle for Economic
Reform
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11. SECTION
2
continued Steps Toward Capitalism
The High Cost of Economic Change
• Since the 1998 crash, Russia’s economy has slowly
recovered
• In spite of this, 40% of Russians still far below
poverty line
• Some wonder if things had maybe been better
under Soviets
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12. Obstacles to Economic Reform
Distance Decay
• Distance decay—long-distance communication,
transportation are hard
- Russia spans 11 time zones, has 89 regional
governments
- central government in Moscow is weak
- difficult to get distant officials to enforce national
reform programs
• President Vladimir Putin creates 7 large federal
districts in 2000
- governor-generals will force regional officials to
follow reform orders
SECTION
2
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Continued . . .

13. SECTION
2
continued Obstacles to Economic Reform
Organized Crime
• “Russian mafia” criminal organizations grow rapidly
in 1990s
- control 40% of private companies, 60% of state-
owned companies
- mafia creates own economy, expands outside of
Russia
• Organized crime slows economic reform by
rewarding illegal activity
- government cannot tax such activity
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Future Prospects
• Rising tax, customs revenues could lead to higher
living standards

14. Case Study
The Soviet Union’s Nuclear
Legacy
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BACKGROUND
• The former Soviet Union’s nuclear programs have
become a problem
• poorly constructed nuclear power stations are not
being maintained
• nuclear waste dumps are decaying
• These issues pose a threat to the region’s people
and environment
The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

15. Case Study
An Unwelcome Legacy
Nuclear Uncertainties
• Break up of USSR leaves fate of Soviet
nuclear weapons unclear
- instead of 1 country with weapons, there
are 15 independent republics
- Where are the weapons? Are they safe?
Where are the nuclear scientists?
• Also facing problems with aging, poorly built
nuclear reactors
- many are same design as one at 1986
Chernobyl disaster
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16. Case Study
The Consequences of Collapse
Political Tensions
• Nuclear issues create tension between
regions, other nations, U.S.
• U.S. task force in 2000 highlights nuclear
security threat
- fears grow that Russian nuclear materials
could be stolen, misused
- recommends $30 billion package to help
keep weapons safe
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Continued . . .

17. Case Study
Economic Health
• Many regional leaders reluctant to shut down
Soviet nuclear reactors
- it would be too expensive to build new non-
nuclear plants
• Some republics’ steps to revive their
economies are questionable
- in 2001, Russia’s Duma (legislature)
approved nuclear dump plan
- hope to earn $21 billion by storing other
countries’ nuclear waste
- Russian environmentalists are upset over
the plan
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continued The Consequences of Collapse
Continued . . .

18. Case Study
Environmental Prospects
• Some hope that region’s environmental
outlook can improve
• In 2000, Ukraine shut down last active
Chernobyl reactor
- hope to build protective dome for disaster
site
• In 2000, a U.S.-funded treatment plant
opened near the White Sea
- facility treats radioactive waste from
Russian nuclear submarines
- submarine nuclear waste formerly dumped
in the sea
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continued The Consequences of Collapse

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