by Giorgi KvelashviliOn August 18, 2009 the official website of the Russian president made an announcement about a meeting between Dmitri Medvedev and his Defense Minister Anatoly Sedyukov (www.kremlin.ru, August 18, 2009). Mr. Serdyukov informed the president of the Russian Federation on “the details concerning... MORE

by Giorgi KvelashviliOn August 14 the head of the legitimate government of Abkhazia, Gia Baramia, addressed the Abkhaz people from a bridge on the Enguri River, which now separates Russian-occupied Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. He made his appeal to commemorate the 17th anniversary... MORE

By Roman KupchinskyThe governments of the break-away Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have hired the Pasadena, California - based public relations firm of Mark Saylor LLC to promote their image in the West. The two governments will pay Saylor $30,000 a month for... MORE

By Yuri ZarakhovichThe interview that Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov gave to U.S. international broadcaster Radio Liberty on August 9, 2009, evokes a famous line by a Russian playwright Evgeni Shvartz: “Pray, hush, Princess! You’re so innocent, you can say awful things!” Kadyrov blames the West... MORE

by Tammy Lynch Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was kind enough earlier this week to kick off Ukraine’s election campaign by attacking his Ukrainian counterpart. Therefore, this appears as good a time as any to look at how Ukraine’s likely candidates are attempting to convince voters... MORE

by Roman KupchinskyThe Kremlin never fails to astonish its world-wide audience. In what can best be described as an open letter to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko posted on the Russian President's website on August 11, Dmitri Medvedev took the proverbial gloves off and lashed out... MORE

by Giorgi Kvelashvili On August 7, 2009, in an unprecedented move for a post-Soviet state, President Saakashvili invited opposition leaders to the newly built presidential palace to attend what was dubbed “the first expanded meeting of the National Security Council of Georgia.” Symbolism aside, this... MORE

Russia Turkey Sign South Stream Dealby Roman KupchinskyUkraine is preparing for a new “gas war” with Russia according to the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta. The new conflict, according to this prediction is expected to begin in December. As proof, the Russian newspaper reported on August... MORE

by Roman KupchinskyThe jewel in the crown of the Russian Far East is Vladivostok, a hilly maritime city often compared to San Francisco. And while San Francisco prides itself on having a thriving Chinatown, Vladivostok is home to a thriving Chinese criminal community. The damage... MORE

by Alexander MelikishviliThe testimonies and comments by senior U.S. diplomats and military officials during the three recently held congressional hearings flashed out the parameters of the military assistance that Washington is willing to provide to Tbilisi at this point and in the foreseeable future. On... MORE