Eurasia / Features
Georgia sticking with its EU ambitions
Despite mass demonstrations in Georgia against the seemingly pro-Russian “foreign agents” law in March and growing Russian trade turnover following the start of the war in Ukraine, the government in Tbilisi remains dedicated to joining the EU.
Georgia’s economy outperforms with 10% broad-based growth and record investment in 2022
The Georgian economy has bounced back fast from the series of sharp shocks of recent years, and rather than being dragged down by the polycrisis that has been unfolding.
Kazakhstan: Low election turnout tempers talk of political reset
Only one in four voters in Almaty, the country's largest city, cast their ballot.
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All to play for in Russian-Chinese backyard
Russia and China will struggle for common policy on possible Russian soft underbelly Central Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, the vital Europe/Asia Caucasus crossroads, the Baltics, CEE and SEE.
TBC Bank looks to Uzbekistan for growth
Georgia's leading bank is expanding its international operations and investing in cutting-edge banking technologies.
Mongolian herders’ lives out of ‘steppe’ with global economic realities
Pandemic and Ukraine war impacts bring hardship that makes battle to subsist outside of the city a gruelling challenge.
Turkey cuts trade ties with Russia, Hungary to “rethink” relationship as Western pressure to end sanctions-busting mounts
Turkey has abruptly stopped exporting goods to Russia and one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strongest advocates in Europe, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has said that he might “rethink” his relations with Russia in the future.
Awkward embrace as Iran and Saudi Arabia seal deal on restoring relations brokered by China
Agreement could have implications on reviving nuclear deal and could even help build ties between Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and Riyadh.
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Central Asia’s poorest farmers know the value of their land
Farmland and pastures across the region are far less productive after decades of monocropping.
Russia is successfully evading Western technology sanctions
Russia has managed to largely bypass Western sanctions on technology and semiconductor imports to supply itself with technology to keep its economy working and build sophisticated weapons.
Ukrainian refugees and Russian migrants bring economic benefits but also stresses to Emerging Europe
Looking forward to the end of the war, whenever it happens, policymakers are already speculating on how many of the refugees and migrants are likely to stay and how many will return.
Perspectives | China wants the Line D pipeline. Can Central Asia deliver?
Beijing is leaning toward buying additional Central Asian gas, despite reliability concerns.
Tehran, Almaty live in fear of earthquake hell
No-one can say for sure where the next Big One will hit.
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Fuelling energy woes, Uzbekistan sees drop in gas output
Production is falling as demand increases, forcing country to look to Russia for energy supplies.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has distorted global trade routes
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions have distorted trade routes across the Eurasian continent.
How Russia and Iran are in cahoots
Tehran assisting Putin with drones and in areas including trade transit, automotive, banking, aviation and petrochemicals. Russian Su-35 fighter jets could be part of its reward.
Hopelessness grows as Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh enters third month
Armenians question why Russian peacekeepers are helping bogus protesters inflict suffering on the breakaway territory.
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Usmanov says he’s no oligarch, focusing his efforts on Uzbekistan now
Russia’s sanctioned Uzbek-born metals tycoon Alisher Usmanov is worth an estimated $19bn and made his money in Russia. But these days he spends most of his time in his native country helping with reforms.
Rising EM debt and geopolitical tensions hurt China's BRI ambitions in Emerging Europe
Faced with governments struggling with high debt burdens in South Asia and Africa, and growing regulatory caution in Europe, China is increasing its focus on Central Asia, Fitch analysts said.
More gloom ahead as EBRD cuts 2023 growth forecasts
The EBRD lowered its forecasts for more than half its 36 countries of operation, anticipating average growth of just 2.1% this year.
