Features
Belarus’ exiled opposition step up battle for relevance
On the second anniversary of Belarus’ 2020 presidential election, the exiled opposition announced the creation of a “United Transitional Cabinet”. But how will the exiled opposition manage to keep itself relevant?
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European gas prices reach fresh peak as EU nears 75% threshold with gas storage
The EU faces an uphill struggle contending with continually soaring energy costs this winter.
Russia’s CBR publishes gloomy monetary policy strategy to 2025
The Central Bank of Russia published its strategy and outlook for the near term on August 12 entitled, "The main directions of monetary policy until 2025". In none of the CBR’s three strategies does the regulator see the economy recovering soon.
Kazakhstan’s food security hopes for the world undermined by food insecurities at home
Central Asia’s largest economy facing up to sobering climate change effects on agriculture and economic disruption of Ukraine war.
NEO: Why copper mining must clean up its act
If the UN forges ahead with its target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, minerals will become an increasingly valuable resource. The world seeks to switch from a fuel-intensive energy system to a mineral-intensive one and copper is key.
The birth of a Kazakh banking empire: ATF Bank
ATF Bank started off as one of Kazakhstan's few private banks in the 1990s. By 2007, it was closing one of the biggest international deals in Kazakh banking. How did it achieve this, and could it happen again?
CEPR's action plan for Ukraine's wartime economy
The war in Ukraine is starting to look like it might last a long time and that means putting the economy onto a war footing. Over the first six months of fighting running the economy has been little more than crisis management. Now it needs a plan.
Missiles or sabotage: What caused the explosion at the Russian airbase in Crimea?
Satellite images show that a mysterious explosion on August 9 destroyed at least nine planes and multiple storage facilities at a Russian air base in Crimea.
Population decline to take Emerging Europe back to the early 20th century
Population decline across almost all of Emerging Europe will result in the populations of many countries dropping to levels not seen since the early 20th century.
Czech government remains colour blind on green issues
This could prevent it from tackling some of the country’s biggest problems, such as its dependency on Russian energy, soaring energy bills, worsening environmental problems, and its stuttering economic model.
Poland ups the ante in feud with Brussels over judiciary reforms
If Kaczynski and other PiS figures are to be believed, Poland no longer wants to meet the EU's milestones and will engage in direct opposition to the Commission.
What's the current outlook for Belarus' export sector?
After February 24, sanctions began mounting on Belarus due to its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. So, what can we expect from Belarus’ foreign trade for the rest of 2022?
Russian gas exports to Europe tumble in June
Russian exports of gas to Europe have tumbled by two thirds, but oil exports by sea have recovered to pre-war levels, according to the European Central Bank’s latest economic bulletin.
Can we trust Russia’s economic statistics?
Russia’ state statistic agency RosStat and the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) have released a string of good economic results recently. Of course Russia’s economy has been badly hurt by sanctions, but by just how much? No one is sure.
LONG READ: Is Russia’s economy headed for 'economic oblivion', as a report from Yale says?
Russia’s economy seems to be doing a lot better than was expected. The International Monetary Fund recently improved its growth outlook for this year.
Is Lukashenko preparing to help Russia reopen Ukraine’s northern front?
Recent Russian and Belarusian military activity on Belarusian territory could be laying the groundwork for Russia to reopen the northern front in its invasion of Ukraine.
Academic sheds light on Rahmon regime’s attempts to crush the Pamiris
Sniper used to kill Colonel Boqir, local leader long at top of hitlist. After brutal crackdown, GBAO region’s inhabitants fear they will be living under a securitised surveillance state.
Kyrgyzstan’s mining sector wilts as authorities seek total control
After seizing the country’s most profitable mine, Kyrgyzstan is using new regulations to drive out more private mining companies and place the bulk of the industry into the hands of a single state firm.
Belarus risks losing long-term potash deals unless it manages to find new ports
As Belarus has been blocked from using EU or Ukrainian ports to transport its potash, it has also been effectively shut out from the world market. If this problem isn't solved soon, Belarus could lose out on long-term deals.
Sanctions bring Russian car market screeching to a halt
Western car brands are leaving Russia en masse as sanctions cause a critical shortage of components. The Russian government promises that homegrown alternatives will fill the gap, but in the meantime, spiralling prices are causing demand to collapse.
