| ID | 194744 |
| Title Proper | Troubled Return to the Homeland |
| Other Title Information | Syrian Circassians in Southern Russia |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Korotayev, Andrey |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The humanitarian crisis in Syria has fuelled the Circassian issue in Russia. Escaping from the war, hundreds of Syrian Circassians (Adyghe) chose Russia as their destination because their ancestors came to the Middle East from the North Caucasus. Syrian Circassians have faced difficulties in entering Russia and staying there regardless of the state’s ability to accept a large number of immigrants. In the case of receiving Syrian Adyghe, Russian authorities were suspicious about: (1) growing Circassian activism before the Olympics in Sochi; (2) ISIS infiltration; and (3) ethnic tensions in the Southern regions. Nevertheless, many Syrian Circassians settled in Russia due to the support extended by local Adyghe. Our findings are based on interviews and public polls conducted in Karachay-Cherkessia in 2017 and Adygea in 2018. |
| `In' analytical Note | Europe-Asia Studies Vol. 76, No.4; May 2024: p.613-631 |
| Key Words | Southern Russia ; Troubled Return to the Homeland ; Syrian Circassians |