Georgia against Abkhazia: The intelligence war
Law enforcement agencies of Abkhazia have reported arrests and criminal charges against people suspected of collaborating with the Georgian special services. Judging by all the previous events, the situation on the border between Georgia and Abkhazia is again heating up. READ MORE
Common Ground in Energy Policy
A divisive energy policy debate is playing an increasingly prominent role in the presidential election campaign, reflecting long-simmering themes that emerged in the 1970s. READ MORE
Gazprom Completes Nord Stream’s 2nd Pipeline
Russian gas giant Gazprom has completed the welding of the last joint on the second leg of the Nord Stream pipeline intended to deliver Russian natural gas to Europe bypassing existing transit countries, the company said on Wednesday. READ MORE
Gabala radar station is not worth a brass farthing?
In late 2012, the lease term of Gabala radar station expires. Azerbaijan insists on inherently disadvantageous for Russia conditions of the contract extension. Previously Moscow paid Baku $ 7.5 million per year, but now Baku demands $ 300 million. At the same time, the lease term reduces from 49 to 7 years. Russian Defense Ministry, in order to optimize costs, has decided to close the Russian sector of the school and hospital, sending families of the officers away from Azerbaijan. The officers' wives took it as a disaster and began to appeal to all authorities. One of the recipients was the military commentator of "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" Viktor Litovkin. GTimes reporter spoke with him on the problems of the Gabala radar station. READ MORE
The United States and Central Asia
This testimony was originally given by The Hon. S Enders Wimbush, Senior Director of The German Marshall Fund of the United States, before the House Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia on July 24th, 2012. READ MORE
Poland in “Baltic Dimension” of European Integration
In the end of this March the Minister of Foreign Affairs reported to the Sejm on the program “Priorities of Polish Foreign Policy for 2012-2016”. The list of the main principles, Warsaw is going to follow in its international activity, included a higher level integration into the bodies of the European Union, strengthening of Poland by determination of the common defense policy and accomplishment of the program “Eastern Partnership”, privileged relations with Germany. Among other specified priorities – the liability to maintain own line inside the EU in the number of decision-making countries, enhancement of common defense policy and partnership with the states of Eastern Europe. READ MORE
Hijabs Democracy
The President of Tatarstan signed amendments to the law on the freedom of conscience earlier grandiosely adopted by the State Council of this entity of the Russian Federation. In particular, foreigners are forbidden to found religious organizations in the republic. However, all the decisions made by the power were late. It’s senseless to issue a ban on the way of penetration of “foes” to Tatarstan, when in the environment of local population already occurred people, calling themselves “Mujahideens”, able to take the responsibility for the terrorist attack against the leaders of Spiritual Department of the Muslims of the Republic. READ MORE
Stronger together
Russia's minister of trade and industry makes the case for Russia as a good place for European companies to do business. READ MORE
Is This Why Romney Thinks Russia Is Geopolitical Foe Number One?
Mitt Romney’s talk may be tough when it comes to the Kremlin, but on his foreign tour, he stepped carefully into two of the places where Moscow’s foreign relations are most important: Poland and Israel. READ MORE
Russia's Medvedev hints of Chinese threat to Far East
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a veiled warning about China's rising influence in Russia's resource-rich Far East, saying it was essential to defend the area against "excessive expansion by bordering states". READ MORE
