Russia’s Caucasus and Central Asia politics during the past decade as part of its threat perceptions

This article analyzes the Caucasus and Central Asia politics of Russia in the axis of Russia’s threat perceptions between the years 2000-2013 within the framework of the neorealist theory. Thanks to its energy reserves, Russia increased its power sources in domestic policy and in foreign policy strengthened its military, economic and political structures. Thanks to regional cooperation, local support and effective policies, Russia struggles more influentially against factors that endanger its security such as radical Islam and drug trafficking and could stop NATO’s gaining ground in these regions. As a result, Russia’s influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia has increased thanks to using the neorealist theory, while that of the USA has decreased.