The naming of Sergei Stepashin as acting Russian prime minister is undoubtedly a significant event for the North Caucasus regions. Stepashin was one of the main initiators of the introduction of Russian troops into Chechnya in 1994. At that time, Stepashin headed the Federal Counter-Intelligence... MORE

Indeed, it was difficult yesterday to determine the extent to which Russia's domestic political struggle was a factor in the apparent hardening of Moscow's position on Kosovo. Like Chirac, some U.S. officials apparently believe that the warnings coming out of Moscow recently may be intended... MORE

It was a day of mixed signals in Moscow as the Kremlin suggested that it was hardening its stance on Kosovo, and visiting Western officials hinted simultaneously that their talks in the Russian capital had yielded some progress. The apparent hardening in Moscow's position was... MORE

Various publications and analysts have noted the increasing likelihood that the Duma will approve Yeltsin's nomination of Sergei Stepashin as prime minister to avoid its disbursal and new elections. (If the Duma rejects Yeltsin's candidate three times, he must dissolve the Duma and call new... MORE

The impeachment hearings against President Boris Yeltsin got underway in the State Duma yesterday, with Vadim Filimonov, a deputy from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) faction who heads the Duma's impeachment commission, reading out the five charges against Yeltsin. Filimonov, whose address... MORE

The Uzbek parliament has adopted amendments to the penal code, which came into force yesterday, toughening criminal penalties for participation in religious and other types of opposition activities. The amendments increase the prison terms for membership in opposition groups and broaden the definition of those... MORE

Briefing the Kazakhstani parliament on May 11, National Security Committee (KNB) Deputy Chairman Nartay Dutbaev described the activities of foreign Islamic organizations in Kazakhstan. He alleged that certain "missionary" groups from Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have recently stepped up their efforts in Kazakhstan,... MORE

Yesterday in Ankara, Turkmenistan and Turkey signed an agreement--the first of its kind--on electrical power supplies. Turkmenistan is to deliver 750 million kilowatt/hours of electricity to Turkey annually from 2000 through 2006. The gas-generated Turkmen electricity will help meet the needs of eastern and southeastern... MORE

The Justice Ministry of Belarus has issued a warning to the opposition parties and public organizations involved in the alternative presidential election now underway. The ministry is empowered to grant and withdraw the legal registration of parties and nongovernmental groups (NGO). Under the law, three... MORE

Yesterday's fifth anniversary of the Armenian-Azerbaijani ceasefire--which took effect on May 12, 1994 under Russian mediation--prompted both parties to reflect on the current state of that unresolved conflict. Both pledged continued allegiance to the ceasefire and commitment to the negotiating process, but otherwise differed in... MORE