The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative has produced a flurry of activities both in the countries of the South Caucasus and in Russia. While mostly analyzed through the lens of geo-politics and geo-economics, there is new research emerging that represents more sophisticated approaches from a variety of social science disciplines. This volume, based on the AESC Annual Convention in December 2020, collects a sample of critical voices to study the effects of infrastructure projects on local livelihoods, on sustainable and environmentally sound development, transparency, and inclusiveness.