The CIS statistical office in Moscow has recently released revised data on economic growth trends in CIS countries during the past ten years (CIS Statistical Bulletin, #7, April 2001.). Last year was the first in which all CIS countries reported positive economic growth, though for... MORE

A window of opportunity is reopening for the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP), planned to carry Turkmen gas to Turkey and on to Europe. The American companies Bechtel and General Electric and the Anglo-Dutch company Shell are behind that project. Backed by the United States and... MORE

After an initial flurry of headlines on the subject of Russian military reform that followed the appointment of President Vladimir Putin's close advisor, Sergei Ivanov, to the post of defense minister on March 28, the subject has received less press attention in Russia of late.... MORE

The notorious Chechen rebel field commander Arbi Baraev has been killed in a special operation by Russian forces. The first information about Baraev's death appeared on June 24 and was officially confirmed the following day. According to Russian officials, Baraev was killed during a battle... MORE

One commentator, Radio Liberty correspondent Andrei Babitsky, noted that Baraev's death could strengthen the hand of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov. He noted that at the start of the current military campaign, Maskhadov, by accepting Baraev and other radical field commanders like Shamil Basaev and Khattab... MORE

Recently released statistical information by the State Committee of the Russian Federation on Statistics provides an interesting update on recent population trends in this country (Russian Statistical Bulletin, Social and Economic Trends in Russia in 2000, January 2001). In contrast to some other CIS countries... MORE

The CIS statistical office has released recent detailed data on the population of a number of member states (CIS Statistical Bulletin, #7, April 2001.) In addition, the Ukrainian Statistical Office released information on changes in Ukraine's population in its Statistical Bulletin (Ukrainian State Committee of... MORE

The race for the governorship of Primorsky Krai has entered what is essentially a third and final round--in the courts. A runoff election took place on June 17 and was won by Sergei Darkin, director of a local commercial fishing company, with slightly over 40... MORE

The campaign to abandon Russia's moratorium on capital punishment--introduced in order to meet the criteria for Russia's continued membership of the Council of Europe--is gathering momentum (see also the Monitor, June 14). The campaign is being carried out "from below," with the most active role... MORE

From June 11 through 23, Georgia hosted the NATO-led exercise Cooperative Partner 2001. Held annually in the Black Sea region, this year Cooperative Partner was conducted for the first time in Georgia and constituted the largest exercise ever held in the South Caucasus by NATO... MORE