The death last September of long-time Uzbek dictator Islam Karimov, who ruled the Central Asian state from its independence in 1991, was an opportunity for the isolated country to open up to the world and liberalise its oppressive regime, writes Filip Rambousek. The Uzbek government appears to be seizing its chance.
The recent abduction of Afgan Mukhtarli not only puts Georgia's democratic credentials under scrutiny, but also highlights the variety of threats faced by independent journalists in many parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including wrongful detention, writes Saif Islam.
Although there are some indications of potential changes to foreign and economic policy, there is little doubt that the new Uzbek leader will continue the tradition of his predecessor and preserve the authoritarian political system, writes Saif Islam.
Lack of political will on both sides of the negotiating table continues to undermine efforts to resolve the war in eastern Ukraine. Unless Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russian separatists can reach a compromise, rebel-held territories look set to become another “frozen conflict” zone in the former Soviet Union, writes Saif Islam. This article was originally published in the Daily Maverick: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-s-rm-new-talks-on-ukraine-bring-little-hope-for-peace/#.WFvnaFN96Uk…
The economic slowdown hasresulted in protests in Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, which are likelyto increase the risk of wrongful detention in 2016 as authorities try to clampdown on dissent, writes Saif Islam.
Saif Islam discusses the prevalence of corruption and extortion in Russiaand Ukraine amid the regional economic contraction, which had a negativeimpact on investor confidence in 2015.
The resurgence of Taliban militancy increases the risk of skirmishes along Central Asia's southern border. Although the prospect of major instability has been exaggerated, there are long-term security implications for Central Asia, writes Saif Islam.
The Islamic State's threat to Central Asian countries has been exaggerated. However, it should not be dismissed, writes Saif Islam.
In the past 6 months, the Russian Central Bank (RCB) has stepped in to save two of the country's biggest banks, leading to speculation that a sector-wide crisis may be on the horizon. TOM BOUGHTON takes a closer look at the RCB's swashbuckling attempts to clean-up the sector since 2013.
The Trump administration's contradictory positions on the conflict in eastern Ukraine may aggravate an already volatile situation, writes Saif Islam.