Features
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.
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.
Georgian protests become test of strength between government and civil society
Police have used pepper spray, water cannons, tear gas, stun grenades and beatings to try to clear the streets.
‘Accession bonus’ gave new EU members advantage over fellow emerging markets
EBRD research shows GDP per capita in 8 CEE countries that joined the EU in 2004 has close to doubled as a share of Germany’s GDP per capita.
Central European populism bites the hand that feeds it
20 years after Central European countries' accession, the region's populists present a grave threat to the EU's fundamental values.
Fears grow of Russian interference in Central European media space
At the same time, in Poland and Hungary, social networking sites and messaging apps are considered more free and more trustworthy than mainstream media, according to new poll.
Cheap Russian drones overwhelm US-made Abrams tanks, taken out of action
Ukrainian forces are withdrawing U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks from the front lines after at least 5 have been destroyed by cheap Russian drones.
Putinomics: Russia’s oil and gas revenue to double in April
Russia’s oil and gas revenues surged in the first three months of this year by 79%, but Reuters calculated they will double in April compared to the same month a year earlier, the newswire reported on April 24.
Ukraine recovery: the mountain to climb
A new report released by the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) estimates the total damages from the Ukraine war at between $485bn and $1 trillion and notes that Western aid delivered thus far has been woefully inadequate for reconstruction.
CEE recovering but no full rebound in sight, says wiiw
Germany’s slow recovery is dampening growth prospects for Central and Southeast European economies.
Hidroelectrica effect sets off new wave of IPOs on Bucharest Stock Exchange
Both Premier Energy and JT Grup Oil have announced listing plans in recent days after hydropower giant gave boost to the market with 2023 IPO.
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Europe unlikely to tackle Russian LNG imports anytime soon
The European Parliament voted in favour of rules earlier this month that would enable individual EU member states to block Russian LNG imports, by preventing Russian companies from booking capacity at gas infrastructure.
Future of Emerging Europe’s hybrid regimes hangs in the balance
With Emerging Europe increasingly polarised between democracies and authoritarian states, it is unclear in which direction the hybrid regimes – which fall between the two camps – will go, says Freedom House.
US passes Ukraine aid package: what now?
The US stepped forward to rescue Ukraine on April 21 that has been staring defeat in the face, and not a moment too soon. But the aid won't solve many of Ukraine's remaining problems nor will it allow Kyiv to win the war.
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EXPLAINER: Who are Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces hit in alleged Israeli strike?
In the early hours of April 20, Iraq's security force, the Popular Mobilisation Forces military base at Kalso was reportedly struck by Israeli missiles.
Don't mention the "D" word - Ukraine
No one wants to mention the “D” word. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to pretend that Ukraine is not losing and getting closer to being defeated in the war with Russia.
PANNIER: Gulf investment commitments to Central Asia rival sums once pledged by China
Since Russia lost leverage in the region after invading Ukraine, many countries have sought to fill the gap. In terms of pledged capital, the Arab nations have become big players.
Ukraine cattle and dairy industry in decline due to war, but expected to stabilize in 2024
Many of Ukraine’s cows have found themselves on the front line and some have been killed or were simply slaughtered when their owners fled the country to escape the invading Russian forces in 2022.