Latest Eurasia Daily Monitor Articles
ASHGABAT MOVES TO IMPROVE TURKMENISTAN’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
Since succeeding Turkmen “president for life” Saparmurat Niyazov on December 22, 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov has swiftly moved to consolidate power and improve Turkmenistan’s international image with an assuredness that has startled analysts. First, on May 16 Ashgabat announced that Akmurat Redzhepov, head of the feared... MORE
AKP OPTS FOR CONFRONTATION, NAMES GUL AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
On August 13, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) opted for confrontation rather than conciliation by announcing that Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will be its candidate in Turkey’s forthcoming presidential election (NTV, CNNTurk, August 13). The announcement put an end to weeks of speculation... MORE
EVIDENCE ACCUMULATES ON RUSSIAN AIR INCURSION INTO GEORGIA
A growing body of evidence confirms that the aircraft that dropped a missile on Georgia on August 6 (see EDM, August 8) entered from Russia’s North Ossetia and returned there, Russian denials notwithstanding. Some confirmation even came from Russian sources at the scene initially, before... MORE
MOSCOW LOOKS FOR OPENING TO PLAY SOLO IN THE MIDDLE EASTERN “QUARTET”
In the recent weeks, Russia has been remarkably self-assertive, suspending its participation in the CFE Treaty and sinking its flag in the North Pole, staging large-scale strategic exercises and putting gas pressure on Belarus. In the Middle East, however, Moscow has preferred to keep a... MORE
KREMLIN HOLDS NURGALIEV PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR NORTH CAUCASUS SECURITY
As rebel attacks on police increase across the North Caucasus, Moscow is stepping up its activities to prevent large-scale raids in Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan, and Kabardino-Balkaria. Anti-terrorist drills are conducted around-the-clock, involving numerous military and police units (see EDM, August 1). The Kremlin has tapped... MORE
TURKEY REFUSES TO BACK DOWN ON IRAN ENERGY DEAL
The Turkish government has reiterated its determination to press ahead with massive investment in the Iranian energy sector, despite U.S. opposition. On August 12 Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler announced that Turkey was determined to implement the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed with... MORE
AK PARTY APPOINTS MODERATE AS SPEAKER AS TENSIONS INSIDE PARTY MOUNT OVER PRESIDENCY
Following the election of a known moderate to the post of Turkish parliamentary speaker, attention has now switched to the forthcoming vote for the presidency, amid signs of an intensifying power struggle within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). In the election in... MORE
RUSSIA TIGHTENS CONTROL OVER SAKHALIN-1 OUTPUT
On August 2, during a meeting of a special government commission, the Russian government formally notified Sakhalin-1 consortium stakeholders that they should prioritize the domestic delivery of all natural gas to the Russian Far East, according to a statement from the Russian Industry and Energy... MORE
NEW STATE IDEOLOGY BOUND TO FAIL IN KYRGYZSTAN
On July 30, Kyrgyz State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov officially presented his national ideological project called “Development through Unity.” Creating and spreading national ideologies in Kyrgyzstan has been the state secretary’s main function since the early 1990s. However, after completing his task responsibly, Madumarov faced widespread... MORE
LUKOIL SEEKING RETURN TO IRAQ WITH RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
On August 8-9, Iraqi Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani encouraged the Russian government and companies to return to Iraq’s oil industry. He conferred with Lukoil president Vagit Alekperov, whose company hopes to return to the West Qurna-2 project in Iraq. Shahristani also held talks in Moscow... MORE