Latest Eurasia Daily Monitor Articles
GEORGIAN OFFICIALS ADMIT THEY MISREAD RUSSIAN INTENTIONS
The State Duma unanimously ratified treaties with the Georgian breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia that will formalize military, diplomatic, and economic ties and allow Moscow to deploy thousands of troops there. Russian officials say that Abkhazia and South Ossetia may soon join the... MORE
RUSSIA, CHINA ESTABLISH STRONGER ECONOMIC TIES
Leaders of Russia and China hailed what they described as a bilateral strategic partnership, while the countries’ state-run energy giants are struggling to work out a compromise on energy prices. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, following a meeting in Moscow with his Chinese counterpart Wen... MORE
FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN KYRGYZSTAN CONTINUES TO BE CUT BACK
In September the Kyrgyz government introduced new amendments to the media law that would potentially limit the work of local mass media outlets. According to Kyrgyz experts, the changes will impose strict rules on broadcasting by local outlets. Despite condemnation by local journalists and international... MORE
CAN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR SOLVING THE KURDISH QUESTION WORK?
In contrast to its normal routine, in which the Turkish General Staff briefs cabinet members at the National Security Council (MGK) meetings, Turkish Chief of General Staff General Ilker Basbug and his commanders attended a cabinet meeting for the first time ever on October 27... MORE
ECONOMIC “HAPPY TALK” FAILS TO SWAY DOUBTERS
Following on the heels of two of Russia’s top economic officials, the country’s top two leaders (readers can decide for themselves which is No. 1) have made statements aimed at calming the fears of both ordinary Russians and foreign investors. With the ruble having lost... MORE
UKRAINIAN CABLE TV NETWORKS ORDERED TO DROP RUSSIAN CHANNELS
Moscow has claimed that Kyiv’s recent decision to banish several Russian TV channels from Ukrainian cable TV networks was a violation of bilateral accords and of the rights of Russian speakers. Kyiv, on the other hand, says that the Russian channels in question violated Ukrainian... MORE
TURKEY PURSUES ITS OWN FOREIGN POLICY LINE
If there is one constant of Turkish foreign policy, it is that Ankara puts the nation’s interests first and foremost, which occasionally discomfits neighboring countries and allies, who believe that their perceptions and interests should have more impact on policy formation than is often the... MORE
After Azerbaijan’s Presidential Election: The Look Ahead (Part Two)
In the aftermath of the presidential election (see EDM, October 20) and looking several years ahead, Azerbaijan faces a new mixture of daunting security challenges. This will necessitate a strategic re-engagement of the United States with Azerbaijan and a long-overdue EU engagement. Azerbaijan had advanced... MORE
AFTER AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE LOOK AHEAD (PART ONE)
Azerbaijan's reelected president Ilham Aliyev was inaugurated on October 24 for a second five-year term (www.day.az, October 24, 25). As had been expected, voters gave Aliyev a strong mandate for continuing his policies. International observers noted clear improvements in the electoral process and practice on... MORE
BISHKEK: A TALE OF TWO BASES
On October 17 during a visit to Bishkek, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher reiterated Washington’s commitment to preserving the Ganci Air base at Manas. Replying to a question from a Kyrgyz correspondent who suggested that America was no longer interested in Manas, Boucher... MORE