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Nazarbaev retreats on pension reforms
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev insists that his country's pension system needs reform, but has withdrawn a new pensions bill and sacked the minister responsible for it, under pressure from women's groups angered at seeing women's retirement age being raised to that of men. - Saule Mukhametrakhimova
(Jun 18, '13)
Scandal undermines Karimov succession
An alleged US$320 million bribe being investigated in Sweden is undermining Gulnara Karimova's hopes of succeeding her father, Islam Karimov, as president of Uzbekistan. The 40-year-old has already trimmed back her overseas interests, and her father's reported poor health may help strengthen non-family contenders. - Alexander Kim
(Jun 17, '13)
Tajikistan piles on China debt
Tajikistan's President Emomalii Rahmon's recently returned from China with investment and loan agreements worth around US$200 million. The bad news is that absent funding to its liking from Russia or the West, the Central Asian country's debt to Beijing is mounting, with possible unwanted consequences. - Anvar Sattori
(Jun 12, '13)
Through the Baku Looking Glass
Visiting Baku can be a surreal experience, in part due to the financial smog pervading the Azerbaijan capital and in part because supposedly serious discussions about how to exploit and pipe to the West the Caspian's energy resources can overlook a key point - the necessity of Iran's participation. - Chris Cook
(Jun 11, '13)
Guriyev fears new move
against jailed Khodorkovsky
Russian economist Sergei Guriyev, who recently fled to Paris on fear of facing jail at home, claims his present predicament lends credence to rumors that imprisoned oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky may face fresh charges to keep him behind bars. He is due to be released from jail next year. - Danila Galperovich and Claire Bigg
(Jun 6, '13)
Risks in Ashgabat's religious suppression
Turkmenistan's authorities, desperate to prevent extremists from corrupting the country's moderate Islam, have been seizing religious objects at airports and detaining Muslims returning from Saudi Arabia. The punitive approach risks building resentment, and possibly creating a more fertile ground for radicalism. - Charles Recknagel and Muhammad Tahir
(Jun 4, '13)
THE ROVING EYE
Pipelineistan and the New Silk Road(s)
Faced with a Eurasian integration frenzy stirred by China's relentless westward-ho strategic and trade expansion, the US response is essentially a military bid to control all routes for Chinese energy imports. Yet Washington cannot escape the great escape from Atlanticist-dominated trade, commerce and finance. The New Silk Road(s) will be built by emerging Asia - not by a fearful, declining West. - Pepe Escobar
(May 31, '13)
Ukraine seeks trade
deals to east and west
Ukraine has been moving closer to both an association and free-trade deal with the European Union, as well as observer status in the Russian-led Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Neither of the two statuses promises full integration; because of this, Kiev believes they are not mutually exclusive. - Oleg Varfolomeyev
(May 30, '13)
Putin's policies hurting Gazprom
Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom turns 20 this year with little to celebrate as profits and valuation tumble and its pricing and pipeline policies are increasingly called into question. The support of President Vladimir Putin, which should be a strength, is at the heart of its woes. - Tom Balmforth
(May 28, '13)
Kyrgyz government upbeat
before grilling on economy
The Kyrgyz government faces a rough ride when it reports to parliament on Thursday on its economic performance over the past year, but First Deputy Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev is accentuating the positive, including strong growth, slow inflation and less red tape. - Gulnura Toralieva
(May 23, '13)
SPEAKING FREELY
Russia leads the way
in post-Fukushima world
A Western backlash against nuclear power following the Fukushima plant disaster has seen atomic energy's contribution rolled back in numerous countries. Energy needs in developing nations demand that acknowledge that, thanks to Russian specialists, the impact of human error in the nuclear sector has considerably decreased. - Igor Alexeev
(May 21, '13)
Azerbaijan's Israel diplomacy tests Iran
Azerbaijan has broken an unofficial taboo on its officials visiting Israel, arch-foe of its southern neighbor Iran. The reasons for Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov's "revolutionary" trip are unclear, though some speculate an Iranian call for the annexation of Azerbaijan has raised Baku's ire enough to test the fragile relationship. - Shahin Abbasov
(May 3, '13)
Caucasus jihadis feel Boston shocks
The Chechen nationality of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects will likely intensify US plans to deny support to jihadis fighters in Syria, since militants from the North Caucasus have been filling the rebel's ranks for months.
Recent claims from the resistance inside Russia undermine a "one size fits all" Washington approach to global jihad. - Dmitry Shlapentokh
(May 3, '13)
Moscow reserved on rare Japanese visitor
Russia handled Shinzo Abe's visit to Moscow, the first by a Japanese prime minister for a decade, with a delicate mix of hope and reserve amid disquiet over his recent foreign policy choices and the continuing Kurile Islands impasse. The reticence brought one big surprise: the absence of widely expected energy deals. - M K Bhadrakumar
(May 1, '13)
Nabucco-West backers
take pot shot at rival bid
Participant countries supporting the Nabucco-West project for piping Caspian gas into Europe have urged the European Commission to check again its own strategic goals in relation to those supplies. The real target is a rival project running into Italy. - Vladimir Socor
(May 1, '13)
Russia multiplies gas routes to Europe
Russia is developing plans to vastly expand the capacities of its gas export pipelines and build new ones, all in Europe beyond Russia's territory. The need for this expansion is questionable, though geopolitical bluff and profiteering by the Russian steel industry may be factors. - Vladimir Socor
(Apr 25, '13)
Skis replace bullets in Iraqi Kurdistan
A Basque ski instructor's vision of turning an isolated mountain village in Iraqi Kurdistan into a ski resort is becoming a reality as visitors flock there and locals who have lived off cattle rearing discover that the sport can generate profits. While there are plans to expand to other valleys, the geopolitical heat surrounding some slopes with potential mean they're unlikely to be developed. - Karlos Zurutuza
(Apr 18, '13)
Russia, Tajikistan in lopsided alliance
The lopsided nature of the Tajikistan's relationship with Russia suggests that Dushanbe's accession to the World Trade Organization in January will be quickly undermined by a need to pander to Moscow's interests. - Shavkat Kasymov
(Apr 18, '13)
Kyrgyz officials take cultural wrong turn
Efforts by Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Culture to ban the Vagina Monologues because it "promotes scenes that destroy moral and ethical standards" hint at backsliding gender equality, particularly as officials admit to not even reading the play. With sexual and domestic abuse still taboo and "bride kidnapping" increasingly frequent, authorities are turning their backs on Kyrgyz women. - David Trilling
(Apr 15, '13)
Azerbaijan and Iran in soft-power struggle
The fact that most Azerbaijanis are Shi'ite Muslims and speak the same language as much of the Iranian population should have strengthened Azerbaijan's position as a an inspiration for the democratization of Iran. Instead, Azerbaijan itself is becoming increasingly vulnerable to hardline influences originating in the Islamic Republic. - Eldar Mamedov
(Apr 12, '13)
Gazprom outflanks Nabucco
The South Stream gas pipeline project by which Russia's Gazprom intends to supply the European Union has found allies in Eastern Europe willing protect their national interests in the face of pressure from Washington and Brussels. The EU's favored Nabucco project is losing the race. - Igor Alexeev
(Apr 10, '13)
Gazprom plans Ukraine bypass
Gazprom proposes a series of gas projects that involve an expansion of existing big gas pipeline projects or a reactivation of earlier, unrealized proposals. Their implementation will hinge to a large extent on whether Ukraine buckles under this new big squeeze by the Kremlin. - Vladimir Socor
(Apr 8, '13)
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) |
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