Readers may legitimately wonder what the relatively small Caucasus Region has in common with such enormous regions as Asia, Europe and the Americas. The answer is not to be found in geographic size or GDP but rather in historical richness and geopolitical significance of the region. The Caucasus Region is coveted by Russia for historical, economic (read oil) and strategic reasons. It is less clear why the US is so active in the region except perhaps to poke a thumb in Russia's eye or gain access to the Caspian Sea oil or both. China and Japan are showing interest perhaps because they believe the region is a partially Eastern-orientated window to expanding influence in the Middle East and Europe. Thus the Caucasus Region including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Chechnya, finds itself as a key player in the world geopolitical game of chess.