The Week Ahead is a detailed listing of key events of the coming week affecting RFE/RL's broadcast region.
MONDAY, August 16:
Azerbaijan/Turkey: Turkish President Abdullah Gul makes official visit to Baku to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, speaker of the parliament Ogtay Asadov, and Muslim Board for the Caucasus head Allahshukur Pashazadeh.
Background: "Gul’s Baku visit might revive dead Caucasus platform" ("Today's Zaman")
Kazakhstan: British and U.S. troops will join Kazakh forces for 10 days of military exercises, part of NATO's Partnership for Peace program.
Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Watch issues its report on Kyrgyzstan.
Pakistan: U.S. Senator John Kerry visits Pakistan to meet with officials to discuss aid work and disbursements.
WEDNESDAY, August 18:
Russia: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hosts a meeting with the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan in Sochi.
Pakistan/Russia: Pakistani President Ali Zardari is expected to sign an antidrug-trafficking agreement, while visiting Russia.
THURSDAY, August 19:
Afghanistan: Afghanistan marks its independence day.
Armenia/Russia: During a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Yerevan several agreements are expected to be signed, including an agreement on the extension of Russia’s military presence in Armenia.
Russia: 50th anniversary of the space flight featuring the dogs Belka and Strelka. The two dogs successfully orbited the earth for 24 hours and returned safely back to earth.
Serbia: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission travels to Serbia for a regular quarterly policy review.
FRIDAY, August 20:
Armenia: Yerevan hosts an informal Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit. The leaders of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are expected to attend.
SATURDAY, August 21:
Iran: Iran officially launches its first nuclear power plant located in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr. Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and the head of Russia’s Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation Sergei Kiriyenko attend the launch of the plant.
SUNDAY, August 22:
Russia: A concert on Moscow's Pushkin Square in support of the activists and citizens who are protesting against the destruction of the Khimki forest to take place.
Background: "The Power Vertical: Dancing In The Streets?" (RFE/RL)
Background: "Moscow Court Arrests, Fines Khimki Forest Activist" (RFE/RL)