Transition and conflict : Russian and American perspectives on the former Soviet Union / Abram Chayes and Antonia Handler Chayes -- A framework for assessing post-soviet conflicts / Alexei Arbatov -- North Ossetia and Ingushetia: the first clash / Olga Osipova -- Commentary on North Ossetia and Ingushetia / David Mendeloff -- The Crimean Republic: rivalries for control / Edward Ozhiganov -- Commentary on the Crimean Republic / Michael Lysobey and Tonya Putnam -- The republic of Moldova : transdniester and the 14th Army / Edward Ozhiganov -- Commentary on Moldova / Brian D. Taylor -- Latvia : discrimination, international organizations, and stabilization / Alexander Yusupovsky -- Commentary on Latvia / Brian J. Boeck -- Kazakhstan : how long can ethnic harmony last? / Vladimir Barsamov -- Commentary on Kazakhstan / Henry Hale -- The republic of Georgia : conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia / Edward Ozhiganov -- Commentary on Georgia / Arthur G. Matirosyan -- Russian security interests and dilemmas an agenda for the future / Alexei Arbatov -- Horror mirror : Russian perceptions of the Yugoslav conflict / Nadia Alexandrova-Arbatova -- The development of U.S. policy toward the former Soviet Union / Abram Chayes, Lara Olson, and George Raach.