Authors

Eva-Maria Auch¹;  ¹ Humboldt University-Berlin, Germany

Discussion

The Caucasus region holds significant but often overlooked importance for the European Union, particularly in security, energy, and financial policies. Only the war in Ukraine and the ongoing instability in the Middle East, which disrupted trade through the Suez Canal and triggered migration, forced attention on the need to diversify transport routes and energy sources. Despite the region's unique cultural, religious, and environmental importance, it is mainly viewed as a conflict zone, leading to limited research and cooperation.

In terms of science policy, the Caucasus remains marginal. Caucasian Studies has largely been a peripheral field of academic research and teaching. Since 1991, academic institutions in the Caucasus have also witnessed "nationalized" historical reinterpretations, often politically motivated. This selective approach to history has revived old and new conflicts. The closure of Russian archives and collaborations with German academics has created challenges for researchers. However, it has also opened new research avenues and contacts focused on the Caucasus and Central Asia. These opportunities could foster a shared process of decolonization in the humanities, a topic that warrants further discussion.

Author: Eva-Maria Auch