Russia observers have spent a great deal of time trying to explain the rationale behind President Medvedev's appointment of Aleksandr Khloponin to oversee the new North Caucasus Federal District. But questions still remain.
This winter may not see a natural-gas crisis in Ukraine, but then again, the country's presidential election isn’t over. The outcome of the February 7 runoff may well determine whether the gas crises continue, and by extension, shape the future of European energy consumption.
Twenty years ago today, on January 20, 1990, Soviet troops stormed Baku by order of the Kremlin in an ultimately failed attempt to save Communist rule and put down Azerbaijan's independence movement.
Much has been made in the Ukrainian media of a possible third force -- a dark-horse candidate who will surge on the wave of popular discontent to challenge either Yanukovych or Tymoshenko in a second round. Serhiy Tihipko might be that dark horse.
Nobody can predict the course of developments in Iran in the next year or two. But Iranians won't stop supporting freedom and calling for an open, moderate country with an accountable government.
The recent brazen murders of two Bishkek-based journalists have shocked human rights groups that seek to pressure Central Asian governments into investigating such crimes and bringing the guilty to justice. But J.G. Cefalo says it is increasingly clear that those governments themselves are behind much of the violence, leaving any hopes that justice will prevail futile.
If trafficking is to be abated, if Moldova is to get back on its feet economically and politically, and if civil society and democracy are to be strengthened, Moldova needs to pay attention to the rights and democratic responsibilities of women.
The initial signs are that for all the promises of "sharp and serious" changes, the only real outcome of Russia's proposed police reforms is likely to be more centralization.
Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji says the Green Movement has achieved much in seven months, including reflecting broad dissatisfaction and bringing Iranians together.
Russia was only recently predicting a bright future for Gazprom. But demand from Europe is declining, the Russian economy has contracted, and even Gazprom's ability to provide future gas is under question.
Paul Goble says few can doubt that recent Russian claims that Georgia is providing support for Islamist and nationalist militants in the North Caucasus are absurd provocations. But he also says even fewer in Tbilisil seem to recognize that far more is riding on their responses.
An extensive study has revealed how little information Ukraine’s largest banks are willing to share about their finances and their management.
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