Features
PANNIER: Two years on from Karakalpakstan violence, activists struggle to make voice heard
Officially, 21 were killed when Uzbek security forces moved against demonstrators on July 1, 2022. Witnesses say the death toll was much higher.
Russia-Pakistan relations see limited progress despite Moscow's pivot to Global South
On the occasion of Russia Day on June 12, 2024, Moscow’s Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Pavlovich Khorev announced that the bilateral trade turnover between Moscow and Islamabad surpassed $1bn in 2023.
Russian car production bounces back
Russia’s automotive sector was the hardest hit of all industries at the start of the war. From producing around a million cars a year, output fell to a low of a total of only 3,000 cars in July of the first year of war, but now it is recovering.
Rerouting of Russia trade to add more Caucasus, Central Asia growth in 2024-2025, says Oxford Economics
Relatively small component of expanded commerce comes from evading sanctions on particular goods, analysis argues.
EU sets its sights on Serbia as it combs the world for critical raw materials
Belgrade’s plans to allow Rio Tinto’s massive lithium mine project to go ahead will establish Serbia as a major supplier to the bloc, but strong opposition is expected.
We are in the epicentre of the information war, says Jourova
The European Commission is investigating whether “new risks”, notably the use of artificial intelligence and cyberattacks, influenced this month’s European Parliament elections
Forget oil, forget gas. Kyrgyzstan has plans to power Central Asia with water
Upstream nation sets out to become a regional energy hub based on hydro. The battle to find billions in funding has begun.
Kyrgyzstan sets itself a herculean hydro task in massive energy reform
At special forum in Vienna, ministers present financial institutions with ambitious projects that could power growth across Central Asia.
Far-right gains in Europe pose challenge for EU enlargement
Analysts warn growing influence of far-right and Eurosceptic parties at EU and national level could complicate efforts to integrate new member states.
Women steering Ukraine’s businesses through war and hardship
Furniture company Tivoli managed to double its exports since the Russian invasion thanks to the tireless efforts of commercial director Julia Lisovska and her colleagues.
West weighs sanctions against Georgian government as Russia hovers
The US has already started to impose sanctions over the "Foreign Agents Law" and EU measures are expected to be announced later this month.
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PODCAST: Emerging Global with Bruce Pannier on Turkmenistan's troubles
A country with the fourth largest gas reserves in the world is struggling to sell its natural bounty. Daniel Rad interviewed regional expert Bruce Pannier on its plight.
Ukraine looks to Europe to increase power imports this winter
Russia has taken out 35 GW of Ukraine’s electricity generation capability since the beginning of the war, decreasing generation from 55 GW to 20 GW. Already Ukrenergo has introduced rolling blackouts in a dozen regions.
Tusk's triumph in EU election unbalances Polish coalition
KO’s coalition partners will view the results with concern, as Tusk’s power relative to them has now grown substantially.
Russia's economy is booming
Russia’s economy is booming. In the first quarter, Russian GDP grew by 5.4%, higher than in the fourth quarter of last year, albeit boosted by an extra day in February. The economy is on course to expand by over 3% this year or more.
The Western public want the war in Ukraine to end, but downplay Russia's role in the WWII victory, polls find
A new survey by the Institute for Global Affairs, part of the American political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, found the overwhelming majority of Western public opinion is in favour of ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations.
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Russia and Iran face long waits for McDonald's due to international disputes
In today's globalised food industry, the golden arches of McDonald's have become as recognisable as the stars and stripes of the American flag.
Magyar turns Hungary's EP election into challenge against Orban's authoritarian rule
Magyar’s explosion onto the stagnant Hungarian political scene could force Orban to change his political tactics.
Bilateral disputes loom large over EU accession process
Member states using their veto power to demand concessions from candidate countries is a problem the EU has to tackle.
More instability set to follow Bulgaria’s sixth general election since 2021
Another failure to get a regular government will delay Bulgaria's entry to the eurozone and the lifting of land borders in the Schengen area.