Latest Articles about Economics
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Chang_Wanquan_at_6th_China-ASEAN_Defense_Ministers_Informal_Meeting.jpg)
ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations at 25
During his remarks at the 18th ASEAN-China Summit last November in Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang lauded the “new progress” that could be made in the relationship between the two sides as they prepared to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their dialogue partnership in... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Northern_Fleet.jpg)
Russian Military Build-Up in Arctic Highlights Kremlin’s Militarized Mindset
Despite Russia’s economic crisis, which has already imposed restrictions on military spending (see EDM, May 3), the Kremlin is trying to implement a questionable buildup in the Arctic, aimed at strengthening Russian military might. During a recent board session of the Russian Ministry of Defense,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Pavel_Sheremet_-_EDM_July_29__2016.jpg)
Belarus and the Murder of Pavel Sheremet
Pavel Sheremet (born in 1971), one of the most well-known Belarusian journalists, was killed on July 20, in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, where he was working for the last five years (Ukrainskaya Pravda, Tut.by, July 20). The car Sheremet was driving fell victim to an explosive... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Russia_currency_-_EDM_July_25__2016.jpg)
Russia’s Economy Deteriorates as Putin Focuses on Squabbles Among Siloviki
President Vladimir Putin is not taking a summer vacation. He has instead maintained a busy schedule of meetings with government officials and regional governors. But his grip on the steering wheel of Russia’s foreign and domestic policy is far from steady. The heavily censored Russian... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/S-400_-_EDM_July_20__2016.jpg)
Defense Minister Shoigu Reports on Russian Military Modernization
In the fourth year of leading the Russian Ministry of Defense, Sergei Shoigu has demonstrated a unique style of leadership, marked by routine snap inspection exercises, enhancing the image of the Armed Forces, and restoring the confidence of the officer corps, while pushing ahead with... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Baikonur_-_EDM_July_14__2016.jpg)
Beset by Cash Flow Problems, Russia and Kazakhstan Consider Leasing Baikonur Cosmodrome to Other Countries
Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome is the oldest and largest space launch facility in the world, built in 1955 as a test range for the Soviet Union’s first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the R-7. It covers 2,600 square miles, measuring 47 miles from north to south and... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Alyaksandr_Lukashenka_and_Scott_Rauland_-_EDM_July_12__2016.jpg)
Minsk Props up Currency, Diversifies Foreign Policy
The Belarusian ruble was re-denominated on July 1. Over the next six months, the banknotes in circulation will be replaced with new banknotes and coins in proportion of 10,000 old Belarusian rubles per 1 new Belarusian ruble. Thus, the legendary number of zeros on Belarusian... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Abkhazia_protests.jpg)
Political Turmoil Erupts in Abkhazia as Moscow Reduces Its Financial Support
Late on July 10, the head of Abkhazia’s Central Electoral Commission, Batal Tabagua, admitted that a mere 0.99 percent of registered voters had cast a ballot in the referendum on holding early presidential elections in the republic (Gazeta.ru, July 10). The referendum in Abkhazia reflected... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/putin_01.jpg)
New Data Points to Worsening Economic Slump in Russia
During his appearance at this year’s St. Petersburg Economic Forum (June 16–18), President Vladimir Putin declared that “Russia has managed to resolve the most urgent problems in the economy” (Kremlin.ru, June 17). But just one week later, the Russian Ministry of Economy published new figures,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Fifth_All-Belarusian_People_s_Assembly_-_EDM_June_30__2016.jpg)
Belarusians Debate Their Development Path
The Fifth All-Belarusian People’s Assembly (ABPA) opened in Minsk, on June 22. The two-day gathering brought together 2,500 delegates representing managers from all levels of power along with publicly acclaimed “rank-and-file” workers, scientists, students, and so on (Belta.by, June 22). It is debatable why there... MORE