Eurasia / Features
Georgian Dream loses the support of the regions
For all its propaganda efforts, Georgian Dream appears to have lost the fundamental trust of rural Georgians to guide them towards a better future.
Former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan faces life in prison
Vardanyan's son and lawyer tell bne IntelliNews he is being used as a "bargaining chip" by Azerbaijan after new charges are filed.
PROFILE: Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili
Zourabichvili has emerged as an unexpected leader of the protest movement against the ruling Georgian Dream party.
PANNIER: Why the Turkmenistan, Iran gas “friendship” is back on
In tough struggle to find new export markets, Turkmen even agree to Iranian contractors building infrastructure in tightly controlled Central Asian country.
Russia reaps harvest of chaos in nearby democracies
Allegations of interference surround recent elections in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Romania.
More help needed for Ukraine’s ravaged energy sector
A multi-million-euro fund launched by Ukraine’s European allies to help the war-ravaged energy sector is running low on cash as power providers struggle to keep the lights on this winter.
Uzbekistan’s universities claim places in prestigious rankings for first time
Enrollment in country’s higher education system has surged from 9% in 2016 to 38%, or 1.3mn students, this year.
COMMENT: Could Iran open new fronts against Israel and Azerbaijan?
Hikmat Hajiyev, assistant to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem on December 9. in what could be a historic meeting.
Presidential election to entrench Georgia’s growing constitutional crisis
President Salome Zourabichvili says she will not leave when her term ends on December 16, arguing that an "illegitimate" parliament cannot elect her successor.
Prolonged protests and backtrack on EU accession threaten Georgia’s economic stability
Georgia's decision to delay its EU accession progress until 2028, coupled with ongoing mass protests, has damaged investor sentiment.
INTERVIEW: Giorgi Gakharia, Georgian opposition leader
Gakharia tells bne IntelliNews the government has "effectively killed" Georgia's European future, but people are fighting back.
Emerging Europe winemakers sparkle as global wine production declines
Global production is set to fall 2% this year, but countries in Emerging Europe including Georgia, Hungary and Russia are bucking the trend, says the OIV.
Protests erupt across Georgia’s regions
The last few days have seen an unprecedented, spontaneous mass mobilisation of citizens in Georgia’s regions.
Georgia’s heart beats on Rustaveli Avenue
Protesters tell bne IntelliNews the brutal police response has only strengthened their resolve.
Single time zone in Kazakhstan messing with citizens’ circadian rhythms
Business owners contend fewer people are going out, spending money.
PANNIER: Grievous blow for the Pamiris as Tajikistan ends cooperation with the Aga Khan
Decades-old ties with chief benefactor and spiritual leader will be cut by latest serving of oppression from Dushanbe.
EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies
Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews
Turkmenistan, the isolationist black sheep of the five ‘Stans family
Ancient rivalries and a tortured relationship with Russia have made Turkmenistan the black sheep in the Central Asian family. But that is beginning to change as economic interests are slowly pulling the gas-rich country out of its isolationism.
Kazakhstan: Officials resorting to press gangs to curb draft evasion
Widespread practice of hazing linked to draft difficulties.
PANNIER: Central Asia faces tough race against clock to prevent water crisis
Region in no doubt that climate change has arrived. Efforts to save critical resource taking on more urgency.