Central Asia, Caucasus Republics at Risk of Syria-Style Crises - Official

The likelihood of new Syria-style military conflicts in the post-Soviet Central Asian republics and the Caucasus, requiring Russia’s response, remains high, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – He outlined the Central Asian and Caucasus regions as areas where the prospect of military confrontation endures.

"The analysis of developments in the world shows that the short-term risk of military conflict persists," Shoigu said at a military and science conference on the strategic conclusions of the use of force in Syria.

"In these circumstances, Russia will have to adequately respond to potential threats," the minister stressed.