The unresolved conflicts in the Caucasus remain among “the most likely flashpoints” in Eurasia, according to annual Worldwide Threat Assessment report to the Congress, presented to the Senate select committee on intelligence by director of the U.S. National Intelligence James R. Clapper on January 31.

“Moscow’s occupation and military presence in and expanded political-economic ties to Georgia’s separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia account for some of the tensions,” the report reads.

“Tbilisi charged Russia with complicity in a series of bombings in Georgia in 2010 and 2011, while the Kremlin has been suspicious about Georgian engagement with ethnic groups in Russia’s North Caucasus.”

On Georgia’s internal politics the report says that new constitution, which will go into effect in late 2013, “strengthens the office of the Prime Minister after the 2013 presidential election, leading some to expect that President Saakashvili may seek to stay in power by serving as Prime Minister, which could impact the prospect for reducing tensions.”