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Archive - Oct 2011

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October 17th

Uncertain World: The secure Eastern Partnership

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By Fyodor Lukyanov

The summit of the Eastern Partnership that took place last week in Warsaw, Poland, turned into a bombastic event, complete with the ceremonial exchange of solemn words. The only exception was Moscow, which surprised everyone with its calm and even somewhat positive attitude. The Russian foreign ministry did not even rule out the possibility of cooperation. Compared with the passions that the Eastern Partnership elicited two or three years ago, when Russia denounced it as an expansion of the European Union, Russia's relaxed attitude this time seems out of place. What caused this change? READ MORE

The West exchanges Tbilisi for Baku

By Ilona Raskolnikova

Azerbaijan differs from its neighbors in the South Caucasus very much. Despite Mikhail Saakashvili's statement about Sakartvelo's amazing development, Baku is the leader for economic growth among the former Soviet republics. While the financial crisis has walked throughout the planet, the share of the Azerbaijani economy in the region exceeded 80 percent. Its GDP became higher than in Georgia and Armenia together. Will the oil sector help to strengthen the political position of Mr. Aliyev on the international stage? READ MORE

Kazakhstan welcomes Putin's Eurasian Union concept

By James Kilner

Governments in the West may have read with alarm that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wanted to build a Eurasian Union out of the former Soviet bloc but in Kazakhstan the news was welcomed. READ MORE

October 14th

What Putin's second coming would mean for India

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Defence Minister AK Antony's significant Russia [ Images ] visit was lost in the domestic political din, yet the message he brought must cheer India. It's not just the confirmation of the delivery schedule for aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly 'Admiral Gorshkov'). New Delhi [ Images ] had been concerned at the delay in its delivery resulting in the escalation of cost from $1.5 bn to $2.33 bn. They also discussed the pending lease of the K-152 Nerpa nuclear multi-purpose attack submarine and licensed production and overseas maintenance of the Su-30MKI aircraft and T-90S tanks. READ MORE

West Plays Up to the Kremlin

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By Alexander Kronin

The results of the last Summit of the “Eastern Partnership” member-states show that the struggle between Russia and West for a dominating influence over former Soviet republics has entered into a new stage. And it seems that Moscow captures greater initiative. READ MORE

Putin’s New Vision of Eurasia

By John Daly

Free Investment Report: The Bakken region is currently the hottest oil play going in North America and our research has uncovered a junior oil company that could be it’s next bit payout. Click here for the Free report. READ MORE

Russia-China: still gassing about gas

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By Stefan Wagstyl

In any deal, if the price is not agreed, then nothing is. What is true in a farmers’ market is true for China-Russia relations. READ MORE

Kazakhstan stands for nuclear free world

During its years of independence Kazakhstan has always stood for peace and harmony, for prosperous development of the mankind and our planet as well. It was the beginning when 20 years ago Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed a historic decree on closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in August 1991. READ MORE

Energy links with Russia strengthened

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By Li Xiaokun and Ma Liyao

China and Russia made giant strides in energy cooperation on Tuesday by first agreeing a price for Russian oil exported through a cross-border pipeline and then announcing the approaching "final stage" of work on Russian gas exports to China. READ MORE

October 12th

European Crisis: Precise Solutions in an Imprecise Reality

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By George Friedman

An important disconnect over the discussion of the   future of the European Union exists, one that divides into three parts. First, there is the question of whether the various plans put forward in Europe plausibly could result in success given the premises they are based on. Second, there is the question of whether the premises are realistic. And third, assuming they are realistic and the plans are in fact implemented, there is the question of whether they can save the European Union as it currently exists. READ MORE