15.09.2008
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
August/Sept, 2008The following resource is meant to give readers a quick overview of recent events within the FSU but outside of Russia. Much of the news here concerns how Russia and/or the US are affected by these generally small but politically, economically, and militarily important nations. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. See Also: The South Ossetia Obzor for reporting on the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Regional Issues Toward A New Paradigm For The Post-Soviet Petrostates
With oil and gas prices at stratospheric highs, these are the new supermen of the international arena, nimbly casting off the drab garb of "developing," "transiting," and "emerging" nations to perform astounding feats of outsize influence. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Fail to Reach Water Accords
Energy and water resources ministers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan gathered in Almaty and discussed water and energy issues in the Naryn-Syr Darya river basin. GUAM Summit Ending With Question Mark Over Its Future
The GUAM group is ending its summit in the Black Sea resort of Batumi amid reports that the regional club may be faltering. Free Press Remains Elusive In Ex-Soviet States
Even 15 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the former Soviet Union, people living in many of the former Soviet republics still face challenges, including getting access to the news that's taken for granted in the West. Moscow Seeks To Fragment Post-Soviet Unity On Rights
Russia in the era of President Vladimir Putin has increasingly presented a challenge to the "unity" and "community of values" of Western democracies not only in terms of its actions, but on the plane of ideas as well. A new federal agency to be in charge of resources in the post-Soviet space
The organization is to become an analogue of the American USAID promoting Russia's influence in the near abroad. Moldova
The Transnistria Question Morar to Be Held Accountable Under Constitution
The RF Embassy in Chisinau has refused to provide Russian citizenship to Natalia Morar, the journalist of Russia's edition of The New York Times. Stirrings in Trans-Dniester
This month, Trans-Dniester marked 18 years since it declared independence with a Soviet-style military parade. Russia warns Moldova against "Georgian mistake"
Russia sent peacekeepers to Moldova in the early 1990s to end a conflict between Chisinau and its breakaway Transdniestria region and is trying to mediate a deal between the two sides. Russia seeks peace in Moldova
Russia will keep pushing for a deal beween ex-Soviet Moldova and its breakaway Transdniestria region, the Kremlin said on Wednesday in a drive to shore up its reputation after last month's war with Georgia. Armenia
The Nagorno-Karabakh Question Turkey says opportunities emerge to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Turkey's president said Wednesday Armenia had changed its approach and opportunities had emerged to solve the long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan Becomes Object of Russian-Western Rivalry
Although widespread fighting in Georgia has ceased, the war's diplomatic repercussions continue to ripple throughout the region. Armenia: Obscure issue could challenge a President Obama
The policy clash could make a political difference in California's San Joaquin Valley and other regions with sizable Armenian-American populations. Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to expand
Mosvsisyan noted the main construction work on this section of the pipeline is already completed and its testing will be initiated soon. Belarus
May profit from changing int'l politics Lukashenko Working on His Image
Former Belarusian presidential candidate and the country's best-known political prisoner Alexander Kozulin was released from prison. Terrorist Network Uncovered in Minsk
Belarusian law-enforcement agencies, especially the KGB, have been looking hard for those guilty in the bombing at a concert in Minsk on July 4. Minsk continues to insist on return of Tatsyana Kazyra
Ms. Kazyra failed to join a group of 24 other Belarusian children for a flight back home this past August. A thaw in relations is promised to Alexander Lukashenko
Washington expressed its willingness to "improve considerably" its relations with Minsk. It's no pure chance that the U.S. reaction to the reconciliatory gesture of the Belarusian leader is so rapid. Brit Publicist to Work on Belarus' Image
Timothy Bell declined to reveal the value of the contract, but he had said earlier that he planned on making "millions of dollars" on it. Kyrgyzstan Investigators Probe into Crash of Boeing-737 of Kyrgyz Fleet
The crash of a Boeing-737, on a Bishkek-Teheran flight, killed 65. Twenty five survived the accident, including the crew. Kyrgyzstan to Be Left Without Electric Light
Kyrgyzstan is on the verge of energy collapse and the peak is forecasted for winter. U.S. Arms Cache Found in Kyrgyzstan
The U.S. embassy in Kyrgyzstan has found itself embroiled in scandal after a hoard of U.S.-made weapons was found in a house in Bishkek rented by U.S. citizens. Turkmenistan
Gas fuels influence Gazprom becomes Turkmenistan's donor
Gazprom has signed an agreement about Turkmenian gas pricing principles. Turkmenistan: Gas Pipeline with Kazakhstan, Russia Is Top Priority
Turkmenistan has declared the project of Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-Russia gas pipeline a top priority and announced the launch of its actual implementation Rare clash reported in authoritarian Turkmenistan
The small country borders Iran and Afghanistan and its population is overwhelmingly Muslim. But Islamic violence is virtually unheard of, as the government has vigorously stamped out all opposition. Turkmenistan to invite foreign election observers
If they accept, it will be the first time international monitors have overseen a parliamentary vote in the reclusive Central Asian country since its independence in 1991. Big Energy Buyers Court Turkmenistan
When Turkmenistan's president took power at the death of the authoritarian ruler Saparmurat Niyazov nearly two years ago, he vowed to liberalize the economy and encourage outsiders to invest in the country's vast natural gas potential. Turkmenistan marks seventh anniversary of Ruhnama
This year marks the seventh anniversary of the philosophical work by the first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. Turkmenistan set to boost agreed gas supplies to China
Energy-rich Turkmenistan signed a deal to boost its annual delivery of natural gas supplies to China to 40 billion cubic meters, an increase of 10 billion cubic meters over the previously agreed amount. Russia, Turkmenistan sign cooperation deal
ussia and Turkmenistan have signed a deal to develop oil and gas fields and build new pipelines. U.S. urges Turkmenistan to diversify gas exports
The West is lobbying for another route, the Nabucco pipeline, that would deliver 30 billion cubic metres of Caspian Sea gas per year to Europe, bypassing Russia and instead going through the Caucasus. Ukraine
Rocky relationship with Russia The world edition of the game board Monopoly includes Ukraine's Kyiv Russia to Help Flood-Hit Ukraine, Moldova
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has committed the Foreign Ministry and Emergency Ministry to provide humanitarian aid to the regions that suffered flooding. Tymoshenko Sinks the Orange Coalition
The pro-presidential Our Ukraine voted to withdraw from the coalition with the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, accusing it of attempting a constitutional coup. Ukraine Introduces Bread Cards
The cards will be given to the poorest with the income below the living wage. There are 100,000 of them in Ukrainian capital Kiev. Parallels drawn between Yushchenko and Saakashvili
Ukraine's ruling Orange coalition has collapsed, leaving President Viktor Yushchenko in isolation. His rivals are competing in demonstrating their loyalty to Moscow. Nation, Region and History in Post-Communist Transitions: Identity Politics in Ukraine, 1991-2006
This monograph explores not only how national identity is being (re)constructed by the Ukrainian state, but also the processes by which it is negotiated through society. The central argument of this work is that too much attention, concerning identity in Ukraine, has focused on markers of ethnicity and language. Instead, the author advocates a regional approach, engaging with the issue of how Ukraine's regional differences affect nation-building processes. The Politics of National Ruin
Since the collapse of the USSR and the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has passed through three defining moments of statehood. Int'l Relations Ukraine's Move to West Stalls Amid Political Feud
Almost four years after teaming up to push Ukraine toward European Union and NATO membership, President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko are at war with each other -- once again. Russia's Foreign Ministry Threatens to Impose Visa Regime on Ukraine
Moscow will probably have to introduce the visa regime for Ukraine if the latter joins NATO. Yushchenko Seeks Security
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, summing up the consequences of the Russian-Georgian conflict for Ukraine on his website on Friday, said that it was necessary to "drift toward a system of collective security." A tentative embrace
Ukraine is promised closer ties with the EU. Merkel, Yushchenko Didn't Ally
In time of the meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko, Merkel ended the main intrigue of the year – the possibility of granting MAP to Ukraine. U.S. Is the Cause of Russia's, Ukrainian Clashes
The problems in relations of Russia and Ukraine are triggered by interference of the third party, the United States, said State Duma member Sergei Markov. Religion Russia, Ukraine Draw Religious Swords
Ukraine's leadership attempts to use the celebration of 1020th baptism anniversary of Kiev Russia to unite all Orthodox churches of Ukraine and persuade Patriarch Bartholomew to recognize the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev Patriarchy. Between Two Patriarchies
The scandals around celebrating the 1020th baptism anniversary of Russia continue to escalate in Kiev. Yesterday, the city's authorities banned from installing billboards with the image of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei II of Moscow and All Russia, who will arrive to attend the celebration. Extremist Plan Their Own Christian Anni
Extremist groups planned actions in Ukraine during the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the conversion of Russia to Christianity. Kazakhstan
Oil drives influence Kazakhstan to hike oil export duty by 85% in October
The government said the move would ensure stable supplies to Kazakh oil refineries and yield over $1 billion in revenue to the national budget. Kazakh Oil: A War of Nerves
On the scorching, scrub-dotted steppe along the east coast of the Caspian Sea, a Chevron ( CVX )-led team is opening up the taps on 50 new wells at the supergiant Tengiz oil field. Third listing primed as exchanges woo Kazakhstan oil producer
KazMunayGas Exploration Production (KMG EP), the London and Kazakh-listed oil company, is mulling a flotation on a third stock exchange. Kazakhstan offers to participate in talks on South Ossetia
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said Wednesday that his country is ready to participate in multilateral talks on the issue of South Ossetia if needed. Kazakhstan to host VII World Islamic Economic Forum in 2011
It's often refered to as the "Davos" of Central Asia "Economic war" against believers continues
Church member Pavel Leonov was later fined 100 times the minimum monthly wage after refusing to register the congregation.
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