Ahiska (Meskhetian) Turks: Source of Conflict in the Caucasus?

This article discusses the rehabilitation of the AhIska (Meskhetian) Turks to their home villages in southern Georgia from where they were deported by Stalin in 1944 to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, & Uzbekistan. The strategic importance of Meskheti-Javakheti is explored considering the 'rehabilitation demands' of the AhIska (Meskhetian) Turks together with regional as well as international dynamics. Within that context, international obligations of Georgia are emphasized with a special focus on the formal & informal practices of the Georgian government & the position of the countries having interest in this region. The AhIska (Meskhetian) Turk issue has gained a transnational character, & the role of states & international institutions in creating & shaping ethnic identities has significantly increased. Adapted from the source document.