Figure 5.16: FIGURE 5.16 PHOTO ESSAY: Power and Politics in Russia and the Post-Soviet StatesSince World War II, most conflicts in this region have been in Caucasia and Central Asia. Most occurred just before or shortly after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Since then, popular movements pushing for greater political freedoms have emerged in several countries. However, violent conflict continues to be a major source of political instability in this region.