Russia has proposed an eight-point plan designed to put an end to the crisis in Syria, alleging that it presents Moscow’s vision and ideas, but also that it remains open to alternative proposals in the upcoming peace talks on November 14. The leaked document propose a constitutional reform in Syria lasting for 18 months followed by presidential…
Water in Central Asia is becoming not just a vital natural resource but a political tool as well. Water security is becoming an increasingly important issue as winter approaches in Central Asia due to both environment and political reasons. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan serve as major sources of water for downstream countries. While lacking the hydrocarbon resources, they are mountainous…
Kazakhstan refuted a Russian parliamentary member’s comments that a common currency for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) called evraz is in the works. President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s Press Secretary Dauren Abayev stated that the prospect of introducing a common currency with the Union’s four other members, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, is not on the agenda.…
RIA Novosti reported that Russia has concluded a deal with Iran for the sale of long-range missile systems. Russian-owned Rostec chief executive Sergei Chemezov was quoted at the Dubai Airshow stating that the deal for the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system was already signed. Observers note that the contract has the potential to alter the…
Despite the deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers lifting sanctions in exchange for compliance with the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program signed over the summer, it appears that Iran’s government is not as eager to rejoin the world economy as most originally believed. For those hoping that the deal would cause a flood…
Ukraine’s state owned gas company, Naftogaz warned that Ukraine might stop buying gas from Russia from the beginning of 2016. Natural gas supplies from Russia are only secured until the end of this year and Ukrainian authorities stated that they would rely on European supply in 2016 unless Russia offered a competitive price. They also…
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid her second visit to Turkmenistan in the past six months, shortly after Prime Minister Modi visited Ashgabat last July. The TAPI gas pipeline and Ashgabat Agreement on trade and transit are the main issues on the table for discussion, respectively concerning India’s energy security and regional connectivity. The…
Dutch-headquartered telecom company VimpleCom said in a press release that it will set aside $900 million to cooperate with a US and Dutch-lead probe into allegations of bribes paid to Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s daughter. The money was purportedly used to secure wireless licenses in Uzbekistan for VimpleCom’s Russian branch. US authorities have reported that…
US Secretary John Kerry arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on October 31 to begin his tour of all five countries of Central Asia. He met with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and all five Central Asian foreign ministers in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on November 1, and Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana, Kazakhstan on…
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