The political and socio-economic situation remains complicated in the North Caucasus, Anbdrey Areshev, Deputy Director of the Strategic Studies Foundation, told NEWS.am.

“The point is that the North Caucasus proved unable to integrate with the Russian state structure, which is the reason for the popularity of political Islam and various neo-pagan movements, which, in turn, serve a cover for destructive elements’ activities,” the expert said. If necessary measures to ease the tension in Abkhazia and South Ossetia fail to be taken, further political processes may have dangerous consequences, which, of course, will have a negative impact on the situation in the North Caucasus and in entire Russia. The improvement of the situation requires not only coercive measures or investments in some regions or others, but also comprehensive solutions, corruption control and formation of an integral political fabric," Areshev said.

T.P.