Features
Ukraine’s strategy of hitting Russian oil refineries is working
Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries are doing what oil sanctions failed to do: reducing the Kremlin’s income from oil production, limiting its supply of fuel for the army and pushing up domestic prices, without driving up oil prices.
PROFILE: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda
Polls show that incumbent could win re-election on May 12 without requiring a run-off.
EU turning a blind eye to Russian LNG flowing through its terminals
Europe has been turning a blind eye to a fifth of Russia’s LNG output that is flowing through EU ports, either to be consumed by member states or sent on to customers around the world, in what is a lucrative trade for the Kremlin.
Dollar remains dominant in global trade, but global tensions are fragmenting the world, says IMF
The global economic landscape is undergoing a transformation not seen since the end of the Cold War. Soaring geopolitical tensions have seen the world fragment into large trading blocs based on economic and national security concerns.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan join forces to power Europe
The energy component of the Trans-Caspian and Middle Corridors are expanding, not only through oil and gas but also through green energy. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have joined forces to supply Europe with power.
Relokanty: Is Russia’s loss Central Asia’s gain?
Maximising the benefits of Russia’s surprising exodus.
A private company is building Belarus President Lukashenko a luxurious bolthole in Russia's Sochi – investigation
A private company linked to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is reportedly constructing a luxurious bolthole with hotel, restaurant and chalets in Russia’s mountainous village of Krasnaya Polyana, near Sochi, a joint investigation found.
New India-Europe transit corridor set to challenge IMEC, Suez routes
The battle of the corridors is heating up as India promotes a new India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) route that will connect the subcontinent with Europe by traversing the Middle East over land then sea to the EU via Haifa in Israel.
The Kremlin scores propaganda points with a display of captured tanks and armour ahead of the Victory Day parade
An exhibition of captured military trophies has opened in Moscow, ahead of the May 9 annual Victory Day parade, showing off Nato armour and vehicles captured by Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict.
North Macedonia’s opposition gears up for return to power
Uncertainly over North Macedonia's EU accession path as opposition conservative VMRO-DPMNE is poised for a comeback after eight years in opposition.
Russia’s poorest regions amongst the biggest winners from the war spending
Russia’s heavy military spending is acting as an income inequality equaliser. A raft of Russia’s poorest regions are the biggest winner from the militarisation of the Russian economy, as state money pours into fixing up regional factories.
Foreign investments spark surge in Serbia's auto parts manufacturing
Wave of investments into auto parts manufacturing now includes moves into electro-mobility.
Russia’s government to change following Putin inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin will be sworn in for his fifth term in office on May 7 and, according to the Russian constitution, the government must resign.
Russian technology imports at pre-war levels, tougher export controls needed – Bruegel
Russia’s imports of Western technology have reached pre-war levels and the export control regime to stop the trade is full of holes. Tougher rules, enforcement and bigger fines are needed to curb the trade, according to a report by Bruegel.
Hungary gears up for visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping
Hungarian government's invitation to Xi on Europe Day and the 20th anniversary of Hungary's accession to the bloc is a blatant message to the EU.
KSE: Russian oil revenues rising, tougher sanctions needed on shadow fleet
Russian oil export revenues surged to $17.2bn in March 2024, driven by higher global oil prices and increased crude export volumes, according to the April ‘Russian Oil Tracker’ by KSE Institute.
Wave of protests evolves into a serious challenge to Georgian Dream rule
Weeks of protests against the Georgian government’s Russian-style "foreign agents" bill have created a spirit of resistance that now poses a serious challenge to the country’s increasingly authoritarian regime.
Putin promises long-term stability, a more equitable tax regime in the up-coming tax reform
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised a planned tax overhaul would increase inflows to the state budget, benefit low-income families and provide long-term stability for Russian corporates at his meeting with the big business lobbying group.
PANNIER: Kazakhstan helping to get wheels turning on Afghanistan railway projects
Growing optimism on ambitions to link Central Asia via Afghan territory to Pakistan’s Arabian Sea ports, the Gulf and Iran.
Uzbekistan IT outsourcing is open for business
Uzbekistan’s outsourcing is open for business and the ICT Ministry together with the country’s IT Park have taken the show on the road with an enticing “zero-risk” offer to bring in customers.