Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, the leader of Russia's most loyal ally in the Caucasus. (MAXIM SHIPENKOV/AFP/Getty Images)

New developments in the Caucasus suggest that subtle but important shifts may be happening in the region and with Russia's role there. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of diplomatic activity from Moscow in the Caucasus, with Russian officials participating in negotiations over a wide variety of issues, including natural gas exports to Georgia, weapons sales to Armenia, and broader political and security ties with Azerbaijan. This accelerated diplomatic activity comes as other players such as Turkey and the West have begun more actively challenging Moscow's role in the region. Click here to continue reading…