Improving relations between Russia and Georgia could reduce Armenia's regional isolation.

Moscow is planning to strengthen military and economic partnerships with its key former Soviet satellites.

Azerbaijan's three powerful neighbors -- Iran, Turkey and Russia -- shape its geopolitical strategy and decisions.

Recent developments have brought the military bloc's intent and capabilities into question.

The Customs Union can gauge Moscow's success in spreading its influence in its former Soviet republics.

Certain areas of the Caucasus are strategically valuable and thus subject to frequent tensions.

Moscow can reform its military and support regional goals by boosting contract troop levels in Armenia.

Russia considers several countries in its periphery to be important but not critical. They are also easy to control, making them less of a focus for Moscow.