South and Central Asia
Mongol TV shows unreliability of Mongolia’s press
A few months ago, a hoax by the recently launched news broadcaster Mongol TV revealed how unreliable some outlets can be. Anyone interested in doing business in the country would
Russia is eyeing China to expand energy ties with Asia
As Europe aims to diversify its energy sources, Russia is looking to the East to develop links with the more energy-prospective Asian markets. In June 2013, Russia’s oil giant Rosneft
Tension builds over Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is once again absorbed in a debate over ownership of the Kumtor Mine, highlighting the government’s fragility and the importance of the mine for the country’s economy. Following a
Pakistan seeks to privatize state-owned companies
Pakistan has begun work to privatize many of its state-owned industries, both to raise revenue and to secure loans from the IMF. Although opposition exists domestically, the government hopes privatization
Dreams of tourist-friendly North Caucasus hard to realize
North Caucasus hopes to use the Sochi Winter Olympics to attract investment through improvement in tourism. Yet, insecurity, corruption and broken infrastructure make such dreams difficult to realize. The President
Tough times ahead for Tajikistan
Tajikistan’s year ahead is fraught with political and economic risk, even as the nation hopes to join the Eurasian Union, which launches in 2015. Border disputes with the neighboring post-Soviet
Resumed trade means hope for India-Pakistan relations
Guest analyst Dr. Kiran Hassan discusses the strained trade relations India and Pakistan have endured since the partition. India’s scheduled elections later this year and thawing political relations could help
Business boom for Turkish contractors in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan’s openness to Turkish investment grows with an increasing number of construction contracts. The Turkish press published reports in December 2013 detailing new projects to be undertaken by the Turkish
Volgograd attacks spark security fears ahead of Sochi Games
The Volgograd attacks that claimed 34 lives just weeks ahead of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games came as a warning that security is still a concern in a region close
Russia invests in Far East to prevent Chinese influence
Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to celebrate the New Year in the Russian Far East. Fear of Chinese influence has prompted another sign of the “Pivot Eastward” that Putin has pledged
