Sochi Olympics and the Circassian Neo-Conservatism, by Sinar Sami Dishack‏

The rising concern among neoconservative Western trend’s over Russia’s exceeding power and its sphere of influence over energy transits is met with a relentless old cold war strategy to contain Russia. This strategy is evident in most US conservative politicians’ rhetoric’s and in the conservative media around all issues concerning and surrounding the region. The Sochi Olympics itself was protested by US conservative politicians during the last US presidential election campaign. Back then the opposition was on the ground of “Russia’s military aggression” against Georgia in the latest Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and the “breakaway” of Abkhazia’s from Georgia. Ironically, the same organizations that were and still associated and involved in delegitimizing Abkhazia’s separation from Georgia are the same ones who are provoking Circassians in restoring their national historic rights by planning and aiding in events directed against Russia such as the protest against Sochi Olympics in Vancouver. “A just demand aiming for wickedness” as stated by Imam Ali describing the Khawareg’s (Separatist) raised slogan “there is no rule but God’s rule” in opposing his attempt to negotiate with his rivals over the ruling legitimacy of the Islamic Empire, which he considered a justified demand but aiming towards wickedness by creating disorder and controversy.

If we consider such an event like Sochi Olympics accruing under different hypothetical circumstances of the region such as under “sovereign Circassia”, and let us then imagine the enormous welcoming of such an event among Circassian. Such an event will indeed bring great economic opportunities by luring foreign investments and capitals in addition to advancing and promoting local industries. It will also advance the infrastructure needed to support such an event. It will generally promote “Circassia” which will have a great impact on all various aspects of life whether it is cultural, political, economic, tourism, scientific, education, etc. Hence, we might all agree that the event it self has a great positive impact but the current political circumstances of the region makes such an event perceived negatively by Circassians.

Developing a strategy that considers reality on the ground along with a dynamic mechanism aiming towards maintaining and preserving our national objectives is the only viable strategy for Circassian to optimize their gains and limit the “negative repercussions” of events surrounding the region “including” events such as Sochi Olympics. On the other hand let us discuss our issues honestly instead of blaming the others to clear our conscious from lacking the will to carry out our duties and responsibilities toward our nation. One example I can think of is repatriation. How many Circassian organizations in the Diaspora “except for Turkey” are practically engaged in rational and practical effort to bring back Circassians to the mother land? We hear a lot of vocal Circassian pessimists accusing Russia from their ivory podiums in foreign countries and quite number of them are not even aware of the real situation on the ground or even have a conclusive idea of the actual impediments of repatriation whether within the Diaspora or in the mother land . I even doubt if the majority of those five star hotel’s opposition even bothered or feel it is necessary to visit the Caucasus and gather information on the ground. Does Circassians in the Diaspora have the intention to return to the mother land? Do they have the will to sacrifice their comfort and established life and return and build the Caucasus? Do they at least have a viable strategy to establish a foot ground in the Caucasus for their future generation to be able to make that decision? Do we at least have a conducted survey that indicates the actual impediment for repatriation within the Diaspora itself? It is easy to blame the Russians for every misfortune of our nation but the only one to blame is ourselves for the lack of commitment and beliefs in our cause. Our attachment to the Caucuses should deal with the current issues and the realities of the region and not limited to a sentimental attachment engulfed in the tales and pages of history.

Source: Circassian Center