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The right fare in Azerbaijan
The father and son link between Azerbaijan's transport minister and Baghlan, the monopolistic firm that has won a string of road construction, bus and taxi contracts - including one to import of 1,000 London taxis to Baku - suggests a conflict of interest. However, Baghlan insists it has the country's infrastructure interests at heart. - Nushabe Fatullayeva
(Apr 5, '13)
Putin takes on Nigeria Navy
Russian President Vladimir Putin will raise with West African leaders this week the case of the Myre Seadiver and its 15-man Russian crew, who were arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges in Nigeria last October. At the core of the case are the issue of arms found on board and the business role played by the Nigerian Navy. - John Helmer
(Mar 27, '13)
TAP surges ahead of Nabucco-West
The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project is now far better placed than the Nabucco West pipeline as to which will carry Azerbaijani gas to Europe, leaving the European Commission with its initial problem - how to undo Gazprom's quasi-monopoly in southeastern and Central Europe - Vladimir Socor
(Mar 27, '13)
Baku expands role in Turkish economy
Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) and Denmark's Moeller-Maersk are to develop a giant port near Izmir in Turkey, adding to SOCAR's interests nearby and testifying to Baku's effective use of oil revenues for re-investment in other projects. - Vladimir Socor
(Mar 26, '13)
Kazakhstan-Korea trade changes shape
Kazakhstan's land-locked state inhibits business with far-off countries, yet its bilateral trade with South Korea now surpasses an annual US$1 billion. The quid pro quo of natural resources for high-end goods is also changing.
- Richard Weitz
(Mar 25, '13)
Ukraine looks to Turkmenistan
Ukraine, burdened by huge debts to Russia for gas supplies, is looking to Turkmenistan for a way out of the political noose this has placed in Moscow's hands. There is no solution to Kiev's problems in the short term, and practical obstacles cloud even the long-term prospects of Ashgabat helping out. - Roman Muzalevsky
(Mar 22, '13)
Turkmenistan goes green, and is happy
A drive by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov to have 3 million trees planted aims to transform his country into a ''blooming garden and further enrich its beautiful nature in the era of power and happiness''. He seems to be succeeding, with young women lauding him at one planting, ''The whole nation is clapping for you.The country is stable, people are happy. Long live our protector.'
- Deana Kjuka (Mar 14, '13)
Xi may hold key to Moscow gas goals
Pricing disagreements have long stymied Russia's plans to boost energy supplies to China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow this month may bring some new momentum to negotiations, but years of postponements of pipeline projects will likely sober the expectations of both sides. - Sergie Blagov
(Mar 12, '13)
Centerra Gold risks Kyrgyz collapse
A legal row been Kyrgyzstan and Centerra Gold has entered a decisive stage after parliament ordered the government to renegotiate the 2009 deal with the Candian company to operate the world's largest gold mine or withdraw its license. Both sides have good reasons to avoid the bottomless pit of international arbitration. - Fozil Mashrab
(Mar 5, '13)
Tajikistan regions still at war
Tensions between rival regional groups in Tajikistan remain high as the country prepares for presidential elections, with clashes last year between the ruling Kulyabi elite and Pamirs in Gorno-Badakhshan underlining the lack of progress since civil war ended in 1997. Unless the Kulyabis launch an inclusive political process, the cycle of conflict won't be broken. - Shavkat Kasymov
(Mar 5, '13)
Kazakhstan seeks wider horizons
Kazakhstan plans to slash government bureaucracy and significantly expand mineral exploration in a wide-ranging bid to continue the economic momentum that's seen it surge ahead of regional rivals. Yet Astana's ambitions reach beyond Central Asian dominance. - Sergei Gretsky
(Mar 4, '13)
THE ROVING EYE
News from Kyrzakhstan
US Secretary of State John Kerry's inadvertent outing of the country of Kyrzakhstan, took geographers and political analysts by surprise, while opening up new possibilities for the Global War on Terror, and adding a new dimension to the Great Game and the US pivot to Asia. - Pepe Escobar
(Feb 27, '13)
Russia's cash flight to gather momentum
Russia's loss of US$35 billion in capital flight last year through "dubious operations" provides a rare insight into the maturity of organized crime and the depth of the country's corruption. As Vladimir Putin's presidency further loses legitimacy, the flight overseas of ill-gained fortunes will gain momentum. - Pavel K Baev
(Feb 27, '13)
Rocky road ahead for Mongolia
The Mongolian government is advancing a strategy of resource nationalism and
retreating from an open investment policy to increase its leverage with major
customers, particularly China, in the extraction of considerable mineral
reserves. While welcoming rough treatment meted out to Beijing, other foreign
investors will be discouraged by the fact they are likely next. - Peter Lee
(Feb 8, '13)
Nazarbayev brings in new blood
A government shake-up by Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev aims to
improve efforts to tackle social and economic issues, while giving an
opportunity to younger, Western-educated officials to demonstrate what they can
do with their private-sector skills. - Georgiy Voloshin
(Feb 7, '13)
Kyrgyzstan seeks to double its
GDP
Kyrgyzstan aims to double the size of its economy within five years, boosted by
reforms along with aid and investment in agriculture, mining and power. To
succeed, it will have to attend to border disputes, energy trade, and
water-sharing issues - and hope its security is not jeopardized by the exit of
coalition forces from Afghanistan. - Roman Muzalevsky
(Feb 5, '13)
Clashes challenge Azerbaijan
strongman
The first few weeks of 2013 have been a time of revolt in Azerbaijan, with
clashes erupting at a string of bold protests against what many see as a
corrupt and overbearing government under President Ilham Aliyev's iron-fisted
rule. As a looming presidential election pits the strongman against an
increasingly vocal opposition, the country could be in for more turmoil in the
months ahead. - Claire Bigg and Arifa Kazimova
(Jan 31, '13)
Russia, China grapple with Mali's future
Moscow and Beijing, which condemned the West's intervention in Libya as
unlawful, are being more reticent in their reaction to events in Mali. Russia
has little to gain or lose in the present adventure. China is a different
matter. The West cannot compete with its broadening relationships with African
nations. Containment and recolonization is the name of the game. - M K
Bhadrakumar (Jan 24, '13)
Sino-Kazakh ties on a roll
The opening of a second China-Kazakhstan exemplifies the deepening ties between
the two countries. Kazakhstan's trade to with eastern neighbor now exceeds that
with Russia, whose relations with Beijing over its strong expansion into
Central Asian appear harmonious - so far. - Richard Weitz
(Jan 23, '13)
Tajikistan tries WTO for
prosperity path
Tajikistan is looking forward to a new period of growth and investment with its
accession to the World Trade Organization. Poor local understanding of what
that implies, the example of its neighbor Kyrgyzstan, and local conditions may
soon teach it a harsher reality. - Fozil Mashrab
(Jan 17, '13)
... as Central Asia braces
for militant returnees
When the Soviet Union quit Afghanistan in 1988, many foreign fighters from
Southeast Asia returned home to form terrorist groups using the financial and
logistical networks and skills acquired in the war-torn country. As US-led
forces now prepare for their own Afghan departure, the question for Central
Asia is whether returning militants again present a "real threat" to their home
countries. - Jacob Zenn
(Jan 16, '13)
Russia migrants kept to the
shadows
The Kremlin would like to reap tax revenues by legalizing the foreign workers
needed to plug gaps in Russia's aging workforce. Yet, anti-immigrant sentiment,
poor enforcement of regulations, and a thriving shadow economy mean only 2
million of an 12 million migrant laborers are legally employed. - Tom Balmforth
(Jan 16, '13)
Uzbekistan bids to save
culture from popping
Schools have been forced into the frontline of President Islam Karimov's
attempts to shield Uzbekistan's youth from what it considers dangerous
influences from outside pop culture and social networking. As they monitor
children playing computer games, surfing the web, and watching music videos,
teachers aren't thrilled by the task. (Jan 10, '13)
EU hopefuls face stark
choice on Customs Union
Central Asian countries' desires for closer European Union ties are at odds
with securing benefits related to the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union,
ensuring that the likes of Ukraine, Armenia and Moldova will have to make stark
decisions in the next year or two amid key elections in all three countries. - Robert
Coalson (Jan 9, '13)
Afghanistan tries to lure
investments
Capital is fleeing Afghanistan as foreign troops prepare to leave the country.
Numerous incentives are being offered to lure back funds, yet with corruption a
major concern on top of security fears, outside investors have little reason to
be tempted. - Farangis Najibullah and Zarif Nazar
(Jan 4, '13)
Cold winds from Janaozen
Repression in Kazakhstan has worsened as authorities fail to learn the lessons
of December 2011, when police killed 16 demonstrators in Janaozen after months
of industrial action by oil workers. Laws on national security and religious
freedom are making it easier to accuse regime critics as "instigators of
strife". - Alexandra Kazakova (Dec 19, '12)
Rate of US-Russian nuke
disarmament slows
The Federation of American Scientists has warned that while the nuclear
arsenals of Russia and the US have declined five-fold since the end of the Cold
War, momentum towards total disarmament has slowed as sentiment turns towards
"hedging" and "reconstitution". Re-elected President Barack Obama says he'll
chase promises of a nuclear weapons-free world, but the arms-control issue is
now more partisan than ever. - Carey L Biron (Dec
19, '12)
Russia's gas grip worries US
senator
A US senator, concerned about Russia's effective energy monopoly in Europe,
wants restrictions to be eased on sales of US liquefied natural gas to North
Atlantic Treaty Organization allies. His demand comes as a Russian gas delivery
project threatens to undermine viability of Europe's Nabucco pipeline plans. - Margarita
Assenova (Dec 19, '12)
Russia plays along
with Sakhalin pipeline project
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has apparently ruled out building a subsea
Sakhalin-Japan natural gas pipeline. That is not preventing continued talks on
the ambitious project, which remains a bargaining tool in Russia's gas-price
negotiations with China. - Sergei Blagov (Dec
14, '12)
Russia changes tack on Syria
Russia is throwing in the towel on Syria after an almost two-year holdout
against Western intervention. The Kremlin will have to display some deft
diplomacy if it is not now to be shut out of the eastern Mediterranean. Its
cards include probable knowledge of where to find Syria's chemical weapons, and
concern shared with the US of post-Assad stability. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Dec 14, '12)
Russia closes gates to
Siberian gas city
Novy Urengoi, built close to the world's second-largest natural-gas field, is
Russia's third-most popular destination for migrants, burdening the northern
Siberian city's infrastructure, while local officials report a rise in Islamic
extremism. New rules effectively close it from the outside world. - Claire Bigg
(Dec 13, '12)
South Stream 'start' riddle
Russia's Gazprom says construction has begun on the underwater section of its
South Stream pipeline, which will carry natural gas beneath the Black Sea and
into the European Union. The Europeans say a final investment decision isn't
even in sight. - Ron Synovitz and Rikard Jozwiak
(Dec 12, '12)
Moscow's Damascus road goes via
Grozny
Russian policy towards the Syria crisis may be more about Grozny than Tartus.
Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have already managed to "lose" Saddam
Hussein's Iraq and Muammar Gaddafi's Libya during their tenure. A repeat of the
Kremlin's tactics against Chechnya may prevent Bashar al-Assad's Syria becoming
yet another domino. - Derek Henry Flood (Dec
11, '12)
Gazprom moves on helium demand
The United States believes it dominates worldwide helium production and holds
the largest reserves. Gazprom queries the US reserve estimates and argues that
Russia holds the largest share of reserves - enough to take the gas out of a
growing helium bubble, or blow the windfall profits in Russia's direction. - John
Helmer (Dec 7, '12)
ONGC Videsh eyes stake in
Kashagan
India's ONGC Videsh may be the biggest beneficiary of US oil major
ConocoPhillips' decision to sell its stake in Kazakhstan's Kashagan oil field.
To seal the US$5 billion deal it must first overcome some legal hurdles, and
see off technically superior Chinese interests. - Georgiy Voloshin
(Dec 6, '12)
Japan eyes Central Asia
for strategic resources
Japan's decision to provide $700 million to resource-rich Central Asian
countries for exploitation of oil, gas and rare-earth minerals comes amid
Tokyo's growing awareness of its dependence on China for some resources. It
will also add weight to Japan's role in a region of increasing interest to the
world's leading powers. - Roman Muzalevsky (Dec
4, '12)
Powering up Asia's super-grid
A super-grid linking the electric power systems of China, Japan, South Korea,
Mongolia and perhaps Russia may hold greater potential for East Asian
integration than a monetary or political coming together. Vast wind farms would
lessen carbon emissions and might also erode protectionist and nationalist
tendencies. - John A Mathews (Nov 30, '12)
Russia-Uzbekistan row
jeopardizes bilateral ties
A row over Uzbekistan's treatment of mobile-service operator O'zdunorbita,
owned by Russia's MTS, threatens to strain ties between the two countries. It
could also create negative implications for Moscow's interests in Uzbekistan's
economy. - Georgiy Voloshin (Nov 29, '12)
Ukraine imports gas from Europe
Ukraine, which is stepping up efforts to develop its own energy resources, is
for the first time importing gas from Europe. It is also cutting its gas
purchases from Russia as construction goes ahead on the South Stream project
aimed at reducing Russia's dependence on Ukrainian pipelines. - Oleg
Varfolomeyev (Nov 21, '12)
BOOK REVIEW
A Wolfe loose as Miami meets
Moscow
Back to Blood: A Novel by Tom Wolfe The return of Tom
Wolfe sees the "New Journalism" exponent expose a Russian oligarch in a plot to
make hundreds of millions of dollars through donating fake art to a Miami art
museum. While the romp through Russian art and Cuban-American montes veneris
does get to the heart of the Cold War eventually, it's no triumph of
investigative journalism, fictional or real. - John Helmer
(Nov 16, '12)
ECO summit brings no change
The latest summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Baku was as
notable for its absentees among Central Asian leaders as for the talk of
strengthening partnerships and boosting regional trade. Azerbaijan will at
least gain prestige, if no economic benefits, by taking over as the group's
chair. - Anar Valiyev (Nov 15, '12)
Crime pays in Kyrgyzstan
Trust in the Kyrgyz police has plummeted in an era of violent street protests
and looting accompanying the ousting of two presidents from office. With the
police accused of corruption, individuals and businesses are placing their
faith in private security agencies to investigate crimes and protect their
property. - Chris Rickleton (Nov 13, '12)
Tajikistan's new roads
boost civil, military links
Tajikistan's developing road system, including the newly opened five-kilometer
Shahriston tunnel, is helping to draw together disparate parts of the
mountainous country, cut transport costs and improve links to neighbors. It is
also making it easier for troops to reach hostile areas. - Mark Vinson
(Nov 9, '12)
China, Russia and Obama's second
coming
Obligatory congratulations to Barack Obama from Russia and China show the
Kremlin decidedly more cagey on what the US president might bring to his second
term in office. Beijing, notably soon-to-be-president Xi Jinping, was more
upbeat - though state media were not slow to put big dollar numbers into their
commentaries. Much may depend on whether John Kerry or Susan Rice is Obama's
secretary of state. - M K Bhadrakumar (Nov 8,
'12)
SPEAKING FREELY
Eid al-Adha, a Russian holiday?
An increasing number of Russian citizens and guest workers perform Muslim rites
at significant personal cost and sacrifice. Moscow would do well to celebrate
these days as public holidays, rather than to mark events such as "National
Unity Day", created as a pastiche of Stalinist myth-making and designed to
undermine religion. - Chris Monday (Nov 7,
'12)
Kazakhstan, US sign new energy
plan
Kazakhstan and the United States have adopted a new energy partnership plan
that underlines the importance of the economic and political stakes involved as
they seek to maintain a robust bilateral relationship amid differences over
early hydrocarbon extraction deals. - Richard Weitz
(Nov 6, '12)
Kazakhstan wipes blood off the map
The remote town of Zhanaozen fires up images in Kazakhstan of the fatal
shooting of 17 protesters in a crackdown on striking oil workers last year. As
the anniversary of the bloodshed approaches, a request by district elders for
the town to be renamed after an 18th-century Sufi philosopher and native son is
raising tensions. - Farangis Najibullah (Nov
2, '12)
Gazprom closes on South Stream
goal
The imminent decisions of several European countries to make investment
decisions on Russia's South Stream gas pipeline mean Gazprom will soon be able
to start construction - changing its supply route to, but not altering the
diversification of sources for, Europe. - Margarita Assenova
(Nov 1, '12)
US Silk Road plans spin fragile
thread
While the United States hopes its New Silk Road strategy will build economic
integration and security in Eurasia, Washington lacks the concrete plans,
development initiatives, and investment projects needed to compete against
China and India and a Russia rebuilding its regional influence. - Roman
Muzalevsky (Oct 31, '12)
SPEAKING FREELY
All Central Asian roads lead to
Muscovy
Constant jostling between great powers for Central Asian influence and
resources underlines the region's growing strategic importance. As Russia,
China and the US make varying alliances, the smaller countries in Central Asia
must hedge their bets, strike a balance between the rising influences and avoid
transnational oligarchy. - Himar Arjun Singh (Oct
26, '12)
Russia's Korea projects gather
dust
A year after what appeared to be a momentous agreement between Russia and North
Korea, gas pipeline and other projects that were part of it are no further
forward. Moscow's forgiveness of $11 billion of debt is the only tangible
product, with no benefit in sight. - Stephen Blank
(Oct 25, '12)
From Kuriles with love
A flurry of bilateral talks ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's
visit to Russia in December signals mutual interest in Moscow and Tokyo in
improving relations after seven decades of "cold peace". The key will be
solving, at long last, the Kurile Islands dispute, and the reward will be
burgeoning Russo-Japanese trade, especially in the field of energy. - M K
Bhadrakumar (Oct 24, '12)
BOOK REVIEW
Tamerlane through Central Asian
eyes
The Legendary Biographies of Tamerlane: Islam and Heroic Apocrypha in Central
Asia by Ron Sela
This glimpse into Central Asia's evolving view of the legendary
14th-century ruler Timur (Tamerlane) highlights how the region's impoverished
societies for centuries held up Timur as a symbol of past greatness and promise
of future glory. In post-Soviet discourse the cult of Timur was re-launched
under Uzbekistan leader Islam Karimov - overlooking that Uzbeks were his sworn
enemies. - Dmitry Shlapentokh (Oct 19, '12)
Protest weary Kyrgyz turn to
parliament
A muted public reaction to the arrest of three Kyrgyz lawmakers who organized a
march on Bishkek over the nationalization of a southern mine suggests that
north-south tensions are easing in the young democracy. The absence of any
support from the mayor of Osh (the capital of south Kyrgyzstan) for the cause
underlines how regional elites are now turning to parliament - not the streets-
to resolve disputes. - Igor Rotar (Oct 18,
'12)
Russia and Japan try again
Russia and Japan are attempting to renew friendly relations, even as missteps
over the disputed Kurile Islands have soured ties. Long-standing differences
with China and difficulties with South Korea leave Japan as the only major
Asian player with whom progress might be possible in the immediate future for
Moscow to move forward on its ambitions to increase gas exports. - Stephen Blank
(Oct 17, '12)
Russia struggles to draw
Tajikistan into Customs Union
Russian officials have reiterated pledges to boost economic cooperation with
Tajikistan. The government in Dushanbe, however, seems to remain reluctant to
sign up to membership of Moscow-driven Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan. - Sergei Blagov (Oct 16, '12)
Syria: Waiting for someone named
Obama
The Turkish interdiction of a Syrian cargo plane could have been the incident
the US was waiting for, wedging apart the Moscow-Ankara partnership. It was not
to be. Moscow and Ankara played down the matter, and it was left to the US
State Department itself to supply shrill rhetoric. The problem for the Turkish
government is that it enjoys little domestic support for getting further mired
in the Syria crisis, while the US, distracted by its presidential election,
won't take a more active role for now. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Oct 15, '12)
Kazakhstan to upgrade refinery
production
New Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov has confirmed his country's intention
to diversify its energy projects by developing intensive oil refining
technologies, with one goal to produce gasoline in conformity with the European
Union quality standards - Georgiy Voloshin (Oct
11, '12)
Russia bridges Middle Eastern
divides
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Moscow to sign a US$4.2 billion
arms deal set the alarm bells ringing in Washington. Maliki is signaling he has
had enough of the US and Turkey playing around with his country's sovereignty -
Big Oil will be next to feel his wrath. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's
diplomats are weaving a new web in the Middle East, and Turkey's Prime Minister
Recep Erdogan is among those being offered tempting prizes. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Oct 10, '12)
Kyrgyzstan flirts with Russian
ambitions
Russia harbors desires for Kyrgyzstan to be a part of its imperial plans for a
Eurasian Union, but it will struggle to make the country an exclusive partner.
Regardless of Moscow's largesse, Kyrgyzstan has desires of its own - ambitions
that will see it engage with Turkish and Chinese designs to assert its
independence from its former Soviet master. - Dmitry Shlapentokh
(Oct 9, '12)
CIS nations set date for
free-trade zone
A free-trade arrangement in the Commonwealth of Independent States scheduled to
come into effect in 2013 would boost Moscow's efforts to lure members into
closer economic integration. However, the absence of Azeri, Belarusian and
Uzbek delegations from recent CIS summits reflects the post-Soviet grouping's
declining influence. - Sergei Blagov (Oct 5,
'12)
Uzbek voices muted in Kyrgyzstan
Tensions between the Uzbek minority and Kyrgyz majority after ethnic violence
two years ago claimed nearly 500 lives in Kyrgyzstan are putting the Uzbek
language under threat. As the authorities rename schools and mosques and as
businesses are taken over, some Uzbeks fear cultural cleansing.
(Oct 3, '12)
Moscow beckons Pakistan's Kayani
Historic rapprochement between Russia and Pakistan, seen in Pakistani army
chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's visit this week to Moscow, rests on mutual angst
at US plans for a long-term Afghan presence. Moscow and Islamabad know
Washington could deploy a missile defense system there that neutralizes nuclear
capabilities, and that regional rivals may welcome an extended US stay. Russian
President Vladimir Putin hopes Central Asian visits will rally the "near
abroad", but elbowing the US out is growing harder by the day. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Oct 2, '12)
Russia, Kazakhstan slow to build
growth
Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his Russian counterpart,
Vladimir Putin, have renewed their pledges to further develop bilateral
commerce. For all this and earlier talk of deepening ties, the hard numbers
indicate little real progress. - Sergei Blagov
(Sep 27, '12)
China deepens Central Asia
role
Recent Chinese involvement in Central Asia will help its partners diversify
export routes to world markets - at the expense of becoming a strategic
rearguard as Beijing acts seeks global leadership. - Zabikhulla S Saipov
(Sep 24, '12)
Siberia placed to be the new
Middle East
The Middle East's fragility as an oil supplier adds urgency to the need to
reassess the potential of Russia and its Siberian resources. Enterprises have
to re-examine the benefits of working in Russia, while Moscow should recognize
that cooperation with foreign ventures is far too valuable to squander. - Yong
Kwon (Sep 24, '12)
Bishkek hands Putin Kyrgyz
independence
Russian President Vladimir Putin, due in Kyrgyzstan today, can look forward to
securing agreements on building dams and canceling debt owed by his hosts while
extending the rights to run military bases in the country. Bishkek will praise
such "successes", refusing to recognize that it is abandoning Kyrgyz
independence. - Fozil Mashrab (Sep 20, '12)
Salafists challenge Kazakh
future
The rise in Salafist military activity in Kazakhstan challenges the
government's political future while the next generation of Kazakh leaders do
not yet have the legitimacy of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. A solution is
required before hundreds of fighters in Afghanistan return home with the
ideology of the Taliban and al-Qaeda and real fighting expertise. - Jacob Zenn
(Sep 18, '12)
Uzbekistan and the road to war
The wily strongman Islam Karimov has recently shifted his loyalties away from
Russia and toward the US, which has led an overjoyed Washington to forget all
about his routine violation of human rights. It is not alliances with failing
empires that Karimov is interested in but their weapons, as Uzbekistan
threatens war against its neighbors. And the US has gleefully offered to
bolster his arsenal. - Dmitry Shlapentokh (Sep
17, '12)
Turkmen navy backs eastward
stance
A landlocked country, Turkmenistan has recently conducted naval maneuvers - not
on the bounding main, but in the Caspian Sea. Rivalry in that body of water has
continued for some time over its gas reserves, and Ashgabat has been hopeful of
a deal with Baku on piping the gas westward to Europe. Increasingly, however,
Turkmen gas has been heading in the other direction, to energy-hungry China. - Dmitry
Shlapentokh (Sep 12, '12)
US risks chaos on 'new Silk Road'
As North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces prepare to leave Afghanistan,
broad cooperation between the major (China, Russia, Iran et al) and minor
powers in the region is essential to avoid chaos that is in no one's long-term
interests. The chances of this happening are diminished by the US obsession
with security over development. - Fabrizio Vielmini
(Sep 7, '12)
Nuclear fuel bank or nuclear
graveyard?
A plan to build a low-enriched uranium fuel bank in East Kazakhstan province
under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency is being
enthusiastically promoted by the government. While the country's nuclear past
makes it a good choice to host the facility, some suspect darker purposes and
fear environmental hazards in exchange for few economic benefits.
- Zhulduz Baizakova (Sep 6, '12)
Calling the China-Russia spilt isn't
heresy
Beijing is not amused at the Kremlin's refusal to reciprocate over the United
States' "pivot" in the Asia-Pacific, especially since returns from its
diplomatic support for Moscow's embattled ally in Damascus are expected. The
symbolism of Russia hosting the Vietnamese president and the Japanese foreign
minister in quick succession in July was not lost on China either - and so the
Sino-Soviet chill now descending is a far easier call than in cold days of the
1950s, when such forecasts were greeted as acts of heresy. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Sep 4, '12) |
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