Latest Eurasia Daily Monitor Articles
SERDYUKOV’S AUTHORITY GROWS AT MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
Many observers scoffed when Vladimir Putin appointed Anatoly Serdyukov to head the Ministry of Defense in February 2007, because Serdyukov had no experience in national security. Instead, he was known for heading the Federal Tax Service and monitoring financial flows. But apparently the main reason... MORE
CAN TURKMENISTAN MEET ITS FUTURE GAS EXPORT DEMANDS?
By any measure, 2008 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov. In power for only 13 months following the sudden death of President Saparmurat “Turkmenbashi” Niyazov on December 21, 2006, Berdimukhamedov has humbled Russia’s mighty Gazprom monopoly in price... MORE
STATEMENTS BY STATE OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT THE PARADOXES OF TURKISH SECULARISM
Two statements by Turkish state officials have once again highlighted the paradoxes of the Turkish interpretation of secularism. On January 15, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reignited the long smoldering debate over women who cover their heads being prevented from attending university by declaring that... MORE
MOSCOW RESUMES MAY PARADES TO DEMONSTRATE MILITARY STRENGTH
Full-scale, Soviet-style military parades – with displays of tanks and other military hardware – will return to Red Square beginning May 9. The decision to resume this public display of military might was reportedly taken at a January 12 meeting of top Russian military leaders.... MORE
KREMLIN-BACKED SECURITY GROUPING EXERTS GREATER ROLE IN EURASIA
On January 11, Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha announced an initiative to convene a top-level meeting of regional organizations operating in Central Eurasia, including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEc), the Organization for Security and Cooperation... MORE
NEW KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT DOMINATED BY BAKIYEV FAMILY, CRONIES
Kyrgyzstan’s new government has already descended into dirty intrigues (see EDM, January 11). The ruling regime under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is now reportedly using the Interior Ministry to ensure quiet compliance of all public figures. The pro-regime bloc Ak Zhol’s majority in the parliament, and... MORE
ANKARA DOES NOT RULE OUT FURTHER ENERGY TIES WITH TEHRAN
Visiting Madrid on January 14, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Ankara would proceed with fresh gas deals with neighboring Iran, although Tehran had once again halted gas exports to Ankara earlier this month. However, Turkish energy analysts told Jamestown that Turkey has... MORE
ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF RUSSIANS BELIEVE DEMOCRACY IS THE BEST POLITICAL SYSTEM
A poll take by the Russian affiliate of a leading international polling organization has found that Russians believe in democracy but are less certain that it exists at home. The poll, taken by Romir, the Gallup International Association’s exclusive representative in Russia, was conducted June... MORE
GEORGIA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ADDS TO INTERNAL LEGITIMACY
On January 14 U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned his congratulations to the reelected president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. Summarizing Bush’s position and the two presidents’ conversation, U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley told the press aboard Air Force One that Saakashvili had “clearly won... MORE
POST-ELECTION EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AMONG OPPOSITION LEADERS
The U.S. and other statements recognizing the Georgian election’s validity come not a moment too soon. Such recognition can at least to some extent dissuade Georgian opposition leaders from resorting to risky confrontation tactics. Opposition leaders threaten to call continuous demonstrations demanding a recount or... MORE