Eurasia / Features

PROFILE: Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili

Liza Zhvania in Tbilisi December 21, 2024

Zourabichvili has emerged as an unexpected leader of the protest movement against the ruling Georgian Dream party.

PANNIER: Why the Turkmenistan, Iran gas “friendship” is back on

Bruce Pannier December 20, 2024

In tough struggle to find new export markets, Turkmen even agree to Iranian contractors building infrastructure in tightly controlled Central Asian country.

Russia reaps harvest of chaos in nearby democracies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 19, 2024

Allegations of interference surround recent elections in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Romania.

More help needed for Ukraine’s ravaged energy sector

Newsbase December 16, 2024

A multi-million-euro fund launched by Ukraine’s European allies to help the war-ravaged energy sector is running low on cash as power providers struggle to keep the lights on this winter.

Uzbekistan’s universities claim places in prestigious rankings for first time

Mokhi Sultanova in Tashkent December 15, 2024

Enrollment in country’s higher education system has surged from 9% in 2016 to 38%, or 1.3mn students, this year.

COMMENT: Could Iran open new fronts against Israel and Azerbaijan?

Fuad Shahbazov in Durham December 14, 2024

Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem on December 9. in what could be a historic meeting.

Presidential election to entrench Georgia’s growing constitutional crisis

bne IntelliNews December 13, 2024

President Salome Zourabichvili says she will not leave when her term ends on December 16, arguing that an "illegitimate" parliament cannot elect her successor.

Prolonged protests and backtrack on EU accession threaten Georgia’s economic stability

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 10, 2024

Georgia's decision to delay its EU accession progress until 2028, coupled with ongoing mass protests, has damaged investor sentiment. 


INTERVIEW: Giorgi Gakharia, Georgian opposition leader

Liza Zhvania in Tbilisi December 10, 2024

Gakharia tells bne IntelliNews the government has "effectively killed" Georgia's European future, but people are fighting back.

Emerging Europe winemakers sparkle as global wine production declines

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 4, 2024

Global production is set to fall 2% this year, but countries in Emerging Europe including Georgia, Hungary and Russia are bucking the trend, says the OIV.

Protests erupt across Georgia’s regions

Ailis Halligan in Kutaisi December 3, 2024

The last few days have seen an unprecedented, spontaneous mass mobilisation of citizens in Georgia’s regions.

Georgia’s heart beats on Rustaveli Avenue

bne IntelliNews reporters in Tbilisi December 1, 2024

Protesters tell bne IntelliNews the brutal police response has only strengthened their resolve.

Single time zone in Kazakhstan messing with citizens’ circadian rhythms

bne IntelliNews November 28, 2024

Business owners contend fewer people are going out, spending money.

PANNIER: Grievous blow for the Pamiris as Tajikistan ends cooperation with the Aga Khan

Bruce Pannier November 27, 2024

Decades-old ties with chief benefactor and spiritual leader will be cut by latest serving of oppression from Dushanbe.

EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 26, 2024

Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews

Turkmenistan, the isolationist black sheep of the five ‘Stans family

bne IntelliNews November 22, 2024

Ancient rivalries and a tortured relationship with Russia have made Turkmenistan the black sheep in the Central Asian family. But that is beginning to change as economic interests are slowly pulling the gas-rich country out of its isolationism.

Kazakhstan: Officials resorting to press gangs to curb draft evasion

bne IntelliNews November 20, 2024

Widespread practice of hazing linked to draft difficulties.

PANNIER: Central Asia faces tough race against clock to prevent water crisis

Bruce Pannier November 19, 2024

Region in no doubt that climate change has arrived. Efforts to save critical resource taking on more urgency.

War for citizenship: Why Uzbeks fight for Russia

Dmitri Belyayev November 18, 2024

The Uzbek government is actively discouraging citizens from becoming mercenaries.

Georgia’s Armenians and Azerbaijanis: an easy target for Georgian Dream vote manipulation

Neil Hauer in Tbilisi November 18, 2024

Georgia’s minority areas tended – with the help of extensive vote-buying and intimidation, the opposition argues – to vote overwhelmingly in favour of Georgian Dream.

Dismiss