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Politics South and Central Asia

5 Challenges for Russia on Sochi Winter Olympics

With the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics only half a year away, the games are facing a number of challenges from organizations within the Russian Federation, as well as from foreign

Security South and Central Asia

Afghanistan’s Opium has Regional Repercussions

Attempts to rid the Afghan economy of its reliance on opium production and smuggling have largely failed due to corruption and the lack of equally profitable alternatives. However, the opium

Security South and Central Asia

Air Base Closure Reshapes Kyrgyzstan-Russia Relations

Last week, Kyrgyzstan announced that it will not renew its agreement with the United States that allowed NATO to use the Manas Air Base as a transit center for military

Politics South and Central Asia

Legitimising Taliban Rule in Afghanistan

Afghanistan rarely enters the news cycle these days. However, for those privy and indeed willing to locate news outside the omnipresent U.S. market, an interesting story is developing in Doha,

Economics South and Central Asia

Russia in 2020 Could Spell ‘Game Over’ for Putin

Guest blogger Christopher Jackson looks at the long-term implications of Russia’s weakening oil industry and growing domestic instability. Since 1990, Russia has experienced something of an escalator ride in the

Politics South and Central Asia

Azerbaijan Opposition Seeks Western Assistance

Last week, the European Parliament condemned Azerbaijan’s continued detention of opposition member Ilgar Mammadov, while current opposition leader Rustam Ibragimbekov traveled to Washington DC to seek support from the US

Security South and Central Asia

Russia Prepares for NATO Withdrawal from Afghanistan

While most NATO troops are expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, Russia worries about the subsequent consequences for the stability of the region. According to NATO officials,

Economics South and Central Asia

Kashmir’s Silk Industry Struggles

Despite recent attempts to revive Kashmir’s silk production, the centuries old industry is slowly dying. Kashmir sericulture, or silkworm farming, is a casualty of changing regulations, regional political tensions and

Economics South and Central Asia

Tajikistan vulnerable due to remittance dependence

Tajikistan is possibly the most remittance-reliant country in the world, thanks in large part to the more than one million Tajiks who have migrated from the poorest nation in the

Security South and Central Asia

India’s Naxal guerrilla groups threaten regional stability

Guerrilla groups in India benefit from local anger over the lack of regional development, thus allowing militants to launch raids and spread instability. On May 25th, Naxals – rebels belonging