South and Central Asia
Georgia’s growth suffers under political rivalry
One year after the victory of the Georgian Dream coalition in parliamentary elections, the political rivalry between the former ruling party United National Movement and the Georgian Dream continues to
Uzbekistan’s business community torn by elite turf war
Uzbek businesses find themselves caught in the crossfire of an ongoing feud among the Central Asian republic’s ruling elite. Intrigue has rapidly developed as the health of Islam Karimov, the
Alleged corruption scandal stirs Turkish political scene
The corruption probe that implicated high level bureaucrats, sons of three ministers and businessmen known to be close to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) sent shock waves through the
5 key takeaways from state elections in India
On December 8, 2013 citizens of India voted in state elections in five states: Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram. Here are 5 insights into what elections might mean.
Kazakhstan seeks larger China-Europe transit trade share
Kazakhstan is in the middle of an ambitious railway modernization project that the Kazakh state hopes will upgrade its status as a transport hub in the middle of the Eurasian
Opium poppy cultivation blocks Afghan development
Opium cultivation continues to flourish in Afghanistan, jeopardizing stability, development and health. The UN reported record high opium cultivation in Afghanistan this year, according to a survey released by the
IMF forecasts Russian economic slowdown
Questions arise over the long-term viability of the Russian economy after the IMF downgrading of Russia’s GDP forecast from an estimated 2.5 to 1.5 percent in 2013 and 3.25 to
Turkey’s economy depends on political stability
Turkey has undergone tremendous economic development over the last 15 years, but protests earlier this year revealed underlying social fractures and areas of political risk. Investment opportunities abound in this
Autocracy in Azerbaijan threatens long-term investment
Despite enjoying rich energy resources with which to tempt FDI, Azerbaijan’s autocratic political climate remains a long-term liability to said investment. In Azerbaijan, foreign investment opportunities and geopolitical considerations take
Is hydropower the key to Georgia’s economic future?
Georgia seeks to capitalize on potential hydro-power reserves to increase local production and potentially become an energy exporter. In May, India’s Tata Power agreed to invest in two hydroelectric projects
