Latest Articles about Domestic/Social
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/pamir-mountains.jpg)
Revising the Border: China’s Inroads into Tajikistan
The foundation of China’s policies toward Russia and Central Asia since 1991 lies in the border treaties it signed with these states over this period. Those treaties demarcated the borders between China and all the post-Soviet successor states: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. These treaties... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Garun_Kurbanov_assasination_-_EDM_July_29__2011.jpg)
Head of Dagestani President’s Press Service Murdered
Garun Kurbanov, the head of the press service of Dagestan’s president, was shot to death along with his driver in the Dagestani capital Makhachkala yesterday (July 28). The incident took place around 8:15 a.m., local time, near Kurbanov’s home. Both Kurbanov and his driver died... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/chen-mullen_04.jpg)
China Reacts to Admiral Mullen Visit; Growth Imperative Challenges Even Chinese Security Regulations
China Reacts to Admiral Mullen Visit Beijing heralded US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, visit to China as an important step forward, signifying the normalization US-China military relations. Chinese magazine Liaowang described military-to-military relations as an important barometer of US-China... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/high-speed-rail-crash01.jpg)
Wenzhou Crash Shows the Dangers of China’s Nuclear Power Ambitions
A high-speed train crash near Wenzhou in the coastal Chinese province of Zhejiang took the lives of at least 39 people on July 23 and has raised equal measures of fear, anger and astonishment across the country. Preliminary reports indicate that a bullet train running... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Nursultan_Nazarbayev_-_EDM_July_28__2011.jpg)
Presidential Health Scare In Kazakhstan Triggers Media Mudslinging Contest On Succession
Discussion about who might become the next president of Kazakhstan after the long-serving incumbent, Nursultan Nazarbayev, leaves the political scene has been a favorite pastime for years for anyone with a professional interest in the country. Last week, these conversations were fueled by media reports... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Latvian_Parliament_-_EDM_July_28__2011.jpg)
Realignments In Latvia’s Political Landscape Ahead of Crucial Elections (Part Two)
Latvia is headed for pre-term parliamentary and presidential elections, potentially challenging the country’s strategic choices for the first time in two decades (see EDM, July 27). The political forces are grouped, broadly speaking, in three camps, none of them fully homogenous: parties of national-democratic and... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Medvedev_and_Serdyukov_-_EDM_July_28__2011.jpg)
Pouring Money Fails to Redress Defense Industry Ills
The present Russian constitution, adopted in 1993, was specifically tailored to give the president (at the time – the late Boris Yeltsin) immense and unbalanced power in anticipation that this could facilitate bold reforms and a rapid transformation from a centrally-planned communist state to a... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Latvian_Referendum_vote_-_EDM_July_27__2011.jpg)
Latvia Facing Its Toughest Test Since 1991 In Upcoming Elections (Part One)
Latvia’s upcoming elections will be the most difficult political test for the nation since the restoration of its independence 20 years ago. Pre-term elections are due to be held, as decided by a referendum on July 23. The upcoming elections will basically replay those held... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Alexander_Khloponin_-_EDM_July_27__2011.jpg)
Moscow’s Preliminary Plans to Invest Even More Heavily In the North Caucasus Raise Skepticism
On July 25, the Russian ministry for regional development unveiled Moscow’s draft plan to invest $140 billion in the development of the North Caucasus over 2012-2025. Most of the investment, $93 billion, will come directly from Russia’s state budget. The funds appear to have been... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Putin_Popular_Front_-_EDM_July_27__2011.jpg)
What Has Happened to the Russian Elections?
The parliamentary elections in Russia are some 18 weeks away, but the campaign that appeared lively earlier this year has all but exhausted itself. One of the three minor parliamentary parties, Spravedlivaya Rossiya, has been effectively dismantled by orders from the Kremlin, presumably because by... MORE