Features
Russia seeks ‘new Mariupol’ in the Donbas
Since mid-April, Russia has focused on capturing the Donbas. In the last week it seems as if Ukraine’s leadership is preparing the nation for a major defeat.
EU’s credibility on the line over enlargement
Austria’s foreign minister calls enlargement the EU’s biggest geopolitical instrument – but will member states use it to encourage candidates and would-be candidates at the upcoming EU Council?
Explainer | Why Tajikistan’s Pamiris don’t trust their government
Dushanbe wants obedience but treats the region as something to be exploited and ignored.
Meet the latest Russian tycoon to be promoted to the Premier League
AFC Bournemouth won promotion to the Premier League this season. The club has seen remarkable success since it was bought by Russian petrochemicals trader Maxim Demin, but its owner is yet to give any interviews in English.
Ruble falls to below RUB60/$1, putting pressure on the Russian budget in 2022
Russia’s ruble continued to rally strongly, dropping below the psychologically important RUB60 to dollar barrier again this week, its strongest level in four years. Russia’s national currency has been on a wild ride that will hurt the budget.
Belarus announces next stage in “surprise inspection” of its armed forces
Lukashenko’s attempt to save face via mixed messages of peace and increased threats of war with the West and Ukraine haven’t got him very far and many Belarusians are more than eager to bring the fight to Lukashenko.
Poland expected to avoid hard landing
Rampant inflation has already eaten into household incomes, while more expensive credit will tighten wallets. The question is how deep the slowdown will be.
Anthems of victory: How Ukraine is winning the online culture war
Whilst all eyes are on Donbas as Russia continues its devastating invasion of Ukraine, another war is being fought on our TVs, phones and computers: the culture war. From the start, Ukraine has been quick to establish the cultural narrative.
Western sanctions block $16bn-$18bn worth of Belarusian exports
Belarus' prime minister said that Western sanctions had blocked almost all the country's exports to the EU and North America.
Just another day in Ukraine's hell
Ukrainian refugees seek shelter from heavy shelling in a school's basement as Russian troops grind ever closer.
Turkmenistan: Car and beauty bans further erode women’s rights
Fresh prohibitions have crushed hopes that newly appointed 40-year-old president Serdar Berdimuhamedov would pursue a more enlightened path.
Nordic Nato accession set to reinforce Baltic states' security
The accession of Finland and Sweden to Nato will transform the picture in the Baltic region but more military deployments are still needed, argue Baltic experts.
EBRD 2022: Reforms and privatisation to drive Uzbekistan’s mid-term growth
Uzbekistan's growth slowed in 2022, but if the pace of reforms continues to be as fast as in the last few years it is expected to rebound to around 10% a year once the current health and geopolitical crises are over.
After war victory, Azerbaijan keeps increasing military spending
This year it is spending more than 10% more than it did before its 2020 defeat of Armenia, and is planning to spend even more in coming years.
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What's behind Belarus' latest troops movements along the border with Ukraine?
While Belarus' latest troop increases along the border with Ukraine have worried many, these actions should be seen in the light of Lukashenko's aim of de-escalating tensions with the West while showing loyalty to Putin.
EBRD 2022: Food security in times of crisis
The war in Ukraine has sent prices for food soaring, and they were already high due to the coronavirus pandemic. Even if peace returns tomorrow, prices for grain are likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future.
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Credit card allowance difference between survival and oblivion for millions of Turks amid inflation crisis
Inflation variously measured at from 70% to 157% has wiped out pay rise gains. There are now more credit cards than people in Turkey.
Georgians take up arms against Russia in Ukraine
Georgians make up the most prominent contingent of foreign fighters in Ukraine. At least nine have been killed.
“A war of two worldviews”: Zelenskiy and Putin trade barbs in Victory Day speeches
The Presidents of Ukraine and Russia used their Victory Day speeches to draw parallels between the war in Ukraine and WWII, but Zelenskiy emphasised that Russia and Ukraine are now different countries.
Belarus' looming economic crisis
The Belarusian regime is expanding the state authorities' grip on the economy to manage the sanctions pressure. However, this may have inverse effects.
