Georgia: Pankisi Gorge as a Militant Haven

Georgia's Pankisi Gorge has become a safe haven for international Islamist militants who use the remote area to prepare strikes not only against Russia but also against European and U.S. interests. Fearing that Moscow will regain influence over the region, Tbilisi and Washington rejected Russia's proposal to send its forces to the gorge. However, Washington encourages Tbilisi to push Chechens out of the Pankisi. If successful, the Georgians could shut down an Islamist base — but that success probably will come with a Chechen backlash and worsening security and stability in Georgia.