1. Chapter 17 Today’s Issues Russia & the Republics
Objective: Compare the major challenges that Russia & the Republics face today

2. Chapter 17 Section 1 Regional Conflict
Vocabulary: Caucasus, Chechnya, & Nagorno-Karabakh
Objective: Explain the reasons for the conflicts in the Caucasus since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991

3. A Troubled Caucasus
Crime, conflict, & other signs of instability increased after the collapse of the Soviet Union
Within the Caucasus there are 50 different ethnic groups, each of which are trying to gain independence
Chechnya has experienced the worst violence due to its demand for independence from Russia
Georgia also went through a civil war
Armenia & Azerbaijan fought over control of the Nagorno- Karabakh mountains

4. Hope on the Horizon?
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell helped to reach a peace settlement between Armenia & Azerbaijan
In Georgia, the government has created a stabilizing force
Public support has weakened & economic costs of the war have also become a burden
These factors may help to bring an end to the conflict

5. Chapter 17 Section 2 The Struggle for Economic Reform
Vocabulary: Privatization & Distance Decay
Objective: Identify obstacles to reforming Russia’s economy

6. Steps Toward Capitalism
In 1992, Russia removed the price controls that had been set by the Soviet government
This had a drastic effect on prices
Privatization: government- owned businesses are sold to individuals & private companies
Failures contributed to an economic crash in Russia in 1998
40% of the Russian population live far below the poverty line

7. Obstacles to Economic Reform
A major obstacle facing economic reformers are the long distances between places that make communication & transportation difficult
Russian President Vladimir Putin created seven large federal districts to gain more control over regional leaders
The “Russian mafia” has been gaining power since the 90s
They control 40% of private companies & 60% of state-owned enterprises
Russian officials have tried to combat organized crime but are having some difficulties

8. Case Study The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy
Objective: Understand the consequences of the Soviet Union nuclear legacy

9. An Unwelcome Legacy
When the USSR fell apart in the early 90s, leaders around the world had serious concerns about the fate of the region’s nuclear weapons
World leaders wanted to know who controlled those weapons & where they were located & how they were protected

10. The Consequences of Collapse
Political tension between Russia & the United States still exists over the regions nuclear materials
Russians decided to import, store, & treat nuclear waste (over 10 years they will make 21 billion)
Although this angers environmentalists, it will help to clean up nuclear waste around Russia & the Republics