Latest Articles about Domestic/Social
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Doku_Umarov_video_-_EDM_August_15__2013.jpg)
Caucasus Emirate Leader Discusses Chechens in Syria in New Video
Six years after Doku Umarov publicly rejected the idea of Ichkerian independence in favor of the Islamic state of the Caucasus Emirate, he continues to justify this change.In a recent video posted on August 8, Umarov responded to questions from people who reside abroad that... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Mykola_Azarov_-_EDM_August_15__2013.jpg)
How Powerful is the Pro-Russian Lobby in Ukraine?
New initiatives supporting Russian economic and political objectives keep emerging in Ukraine as the date of the expected signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union at the November 28–29 EU Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius approaches. On August 9, the leader of the... MORE
After the Crackdown in Cairo: Understanding Why The Egyptian Army Deposed Muhammad Mursi
Egyptian Interior Ministry police executed on August 14 the long anticipated break-up of the two pro-Mursi “sit-in” protest camps in Cairo, which have been a daily presence since the former Islamist president was removed from office on July 3. The latest move by government forces... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Bulgarian_protests_-_EDM_August_14__2013.jpg)
The Summer of Protests in Bulgaria
The anti-government protests in Bulgaria have continued for over 60 days with no sign of resolution during the summer. Thousands of demonstrators demand the resignation of the Socialist-led government, deeming it corrupt and protective of oligarchic interests, including Russian political and business interests. Slogans condemning... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Khasanbi_Fakov_killed_-_EDM_August_14__2013.jpg)
Despite Security Services’ Successes, Kabardino-Balkaria Remains One of North Caucasus’ Deadliest Regions
On August 7, the leader of the united insurgent movement of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachaevo-Cherkessia, Khasanbi Fakov, was killed in Kabardino-Balkaria’s capital Nalchik. The 34-year-old Fakov was on Russia’s federal wanted list for allegedly staging numerous attacks on law enforcement personnel. The road police stopped a... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Tatarstan_flag_-_EDM_August_13__2013.jpg)
Kazan Denounced for Starting a New ‘Parade of Sovereignties’
Pro-Moscow activists and commentators have been universally critical of Tatarstan’s new nationality policy concept, a document adopted on August 1, which defines Kazan as the chief protector of Tatar national culture and of ethnic Tatars wherever they live (see EDM, August 6). The more moderate... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Bidzina_Ivanishvili__Gori__August_8_-_EDM_August_12__2013.jpg)
‘Five Days’ War’ Five Years Later
Last week, Georgia marked the five-year anniversary of the start of the short military conflict with Russia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The conflict ended in Georgia’s defeat and the recognition of the independence of its former autonomies by the Russian Federation. The mourning ceremonies... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Gimry__Dagestan_-_EDM_August_12__2013.jpg)
Having Lost Population’s Trust, Dagestan’s Government Finds It Hard to Make a Comeback
On August 7, the acting head of Dagestan, Ramazan Abdulatipov, and other republican officials met a group of residents of the embattled Dagestani village of Gimry. The Dagestani government proposed a deal with the villagers’ leaders that should end the settlement’s suspended status. The authorities... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Sergei_Lavrov_and_John_Kerry_-_EDM_August_12__2013.jpg)
Problem-Rich Context for the Obama-Putin Non-Summit
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Washington last Friday could have repaired some damage from the predictably canceled presidential summit in Moscow, but the meeting failed to produce any substance for bilateral relations, which had deteriorated beyond the point... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Bacho_Akhalaia_in_court_-_EDM_August_9__2013.jpg)
Akhalaia Acquittal Causes Mini Political Earthquake in Georgia
On August 1, Tbilisi City Court acquitted former Defense and then Interior Minister Bacho Akhalaia on charges that involved exceeding official powers, illegal confinement and torture in three separate cases. However, Akhalaia remains in custody, awaiting trial on separate, unrelated cases. The court’s verdict follows... MORE