A new player has emerged in the roiling political theater of the Caucasus: the tiny, destitute Pacific island nation of Nauru, which on Tuesday became the fourth country to formally establish diplomatic relations with Abkhazia, effectively recognizing its sovereignty.

But Sergei Markedonov, a Caucasus specialist at the Institute for Political and Military Analysis in Moscow, said the agreement was a real achievement for Abkhazia, which has actively sought alliances with countries other than Russia. Asked about the reported payment to Nauru, he answered, "If no one paid, why would they come?"

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