Posts From Luke Rodeheffer
Afghanistan’s unresolved election hurts economy
Afghanistan’s disputed presidential election results have once again provoked fears about the future of the country following NATO’s withdrawal. Abdullah Abdullah, Afghanistan’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ashraf Gani Akhmadzai,
Russia’s growing middle class favours status quo
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s soaring popularity amidst his support for separatists in eastern Ukraine has highlighted the importance of the relationship between his government and Russia’s growing middle class. The
Sino-Russian gas deal: Alliance or partnership?
Does the recent gas deal between Russia and China signal a broader geopolitical alliance between the two countries, or is it simply an economic partnership? The recent announcement of a
Putin wins with Eurasian Economic Union
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus recently agreed to establish the Eurasian Economic Union. Like the Custom Union before it, Russia looks to benefit the most. On May 29, Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Russia faces expanding regional debt crisis
Recent data released by Russia’s Court of Accounts indicates that the country’s regional governments are facing crisis situations with regional debts. In the past year, the level of total regional
Kazakhstan to increase privatization of state-owned companies
Privatization could stimulate foreign investment and aid in the growth of the Kazakh economy, but not without major challenges. Kazakhstan has announced a wave of privatization to bolster foreign investment
Taking Crimea may throw Russia into recession
Russian leaders may celebrate annexing Crimea, but it will cost the Russian economy. Already weak, this latest move threatens to send the country into recession. Following the successful referendum on Crimean independence and
Book Review: Great Games, Local Rules
In his recently published book Great Games, Local Rules: The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia, Alexander Cooley offers a penetrating analysis of the geopolitical maneuvering and strategies pursued
Russia’s single-industry cities pose risk to economy
The issue of failing monogoroda, or single-industry cities, is rapidly becoming one of the most pressing economic issues and sources of political risk within the Russian Federation. The Russian government
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