Abstract
This paper explores the transnational dimensions of the 1992-1993 Abkhaz War, focusing on the role of the North Caucasian diaspora in shaping and proliferating the conflict. It examines how sustained transnational networks challenge traditional notions of citizenship, how diaspora populations transform the understanding of their struggle across diverse political contexts and opportunity structures, what is presumed to occur once these varied politicized communities interact with one another, and how this shapes civil war and contributes to its escalation. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including case study analysis, archival work, and ethnographic fieldwork. In terms of archival work, I work primarily with photographs contained within the State Museum of Military Glory in Sukhum(i), the Circassian Charity Association Jordan, alongside stories of diaspora volunteers. This research holds particular significance in enhancing our understanding of seemingly peripheral yet critical barriers to conflict resolution in the region. By probing the intricate transnational dynamics that fueled the Abkhaz War, the study contributes to the broader documentation and analysis of the conflict, as well as expand the scholarly discourse on the significance of diaspora populations in shaping contemporary international relations. The findings offer insights into how divergent mobilization tactics and varying degrees of enablement among diaspora communities can transform the trajectories of protracted territorial disputes.
Presenters
Sama TotahStudent, Master's of International and Regional Studies, University of Michigan, Michigan, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Vectors of Society and Culture
KEYWORDS
Transnationalism; Diaspora, Abkhazia; North Caucasian Diaspora, Nation Building; Civil War
