In the first days of December, the Russian government planned to review Gazprom's performance and approve its investment program for 2005. The agenda for the meeting, however, was changed at the last moment when Gazprom announced a drastic revision of its plans in connection with... MORE

In the aftermath of the scandalous second round of the Ukrainian presidential election on November 21, the pro-Kuchma parliamentary majority, established originally to back up Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's "coalition government," is continuing to unravel. The disintegration is part and parcel of the gradual defection... MORE

With the resignation of his chief of staff, Ural Latypau (Latypov), and his subsequent appointment of Viktar Sheiman, President Alexander Lukashenka brought back to high office a trusted lieutenant who is also thoroughly discredited outside the country. The motives behind the new appointment have been... MORE

Having all but lost his Ukraine gambit, Russian President Vladimir Putin headed to India and Turkey on state visits in early December. The Kremlin leader's talks with Indian and Turkish rulers appear to be an attempt to give an "asymmetrical answer" to the global hegemony... MORE

Russia and India have reached a tentative agreement on military cooperation in Central Asia, aimed at resolving any potential conflict of interests between the two powers in the strategically important region. Russian President Vladimir Putin reached no definitive accord during his December 3-4 visit to... MORE

During the first days of December, Kazakhstan was hit with several crises that deeply shook the state's belief in smooth, trouble-free development. Just as the investigations began into the causes of the explosions outside the agricultural library in Almaty (see EDM, November 30), reports emerged... MORE

Having all but lost his Ukraine gambit, Russian President Vladimir Putin headed to India and Turkey on state visits in early December. The Kremlin leader's talks with Indian and Turkish rulers appear to be an attempt to give an "asymmetrical answer" to the global hegemony... MORE

After 112 years, Russia's military presence in the Pamir Mountains ended on December 5. Russia's flag was lowered, and that of Tajikistan raised, on the Kala-i-Khum fort on the Tajik-Afghan border, where Russian troops are handing responsibility over to Tajik border guards. Similar ceremonies were... MORE

Under Russian pressure, Abkhaz presidential election winner Sergei Bagapsh agreed on December 5 to postpone his inauguration, which had been scheduled for December 6, and to discuss a power-sharing deal with the loser, Kremlin-supported ex-KGB officer Raul Khajimba. Russia's First Deputy Prosecutor General, Vladimir Kolesnikov,... MORE

Last week Ukrainian opposition presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko won a major victory. The opposition achieved one of its main goals -- the invalidation of the November 21 runoff -- and almost achieved its other major goal -- the dismissal of the cabinet formed by Prime... MORE