Features
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.
Mongolia’s inflation headache goes from bad to worse as thirst for scarce dollars mounts
FX reserves fall by $1.2bn in few months—yet small, developing nation must pay for imports in USD.
Perspectives | Does a Russian bank merit a sanctions waiver for Central Asia?
Transkapitalbank has requested the US Treasury let it continue to operate in Central Asia.
Where the 11 Southeast European states stand on the Ukraine war
Southeast Europe is split over the issues of sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, with some states firmly in the western camp, some staying neutral and others internally torn.
Baltic states find themselves on the inflation frontline
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are among the most at risk from the economic fallout of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and are currently suffering the highest inflation rates in the EU.
Russian fertility rates fall to record lows on the back of a deteriorating economy and sanctions pressure
The decline in the size of Russia’s population is accelerating, driven by a combination of the arrival of the demographic dip caused by the 1990s and one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.
The likely impact of EU sanctions on Russian oil imports
The EU is mulling proposals for introducing a formal embargo on Russian oil imports, and Russia is already well-versed in embargo evasion techniques.
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Hapless Mongolia struggles with a shortage of dollars
Caught between ‘zero-Covid’ China on one side and war-sanctioned Russia on the other, the Mongolians face mounting difficulties.
