Russia

Some History

by Michael Hancock-Parmer

In an effort to clear my brain while I construct some kind of cogent argument about the depth and nature of the relations  between Kazakhs and Cossacks in the middle of the 19th century, I will share some choice citations from the works I’ve been reading. I understand that I’m dropping these into a blog [...]

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Kazakhstan in Time

by Michael Hancock-Parmer
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[UPDATE: In response to some of the comments, I would reiterate that there is a place for everyone's opinions on Kazakhstan. Even this piece, and certainly other writings that I disagree with or that disagree with me. Each has the right to write whatever they want and publish it. It is my right to respond [...]

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Nabucco and Nord Stream: It takes two to tango

by Steven_Schwerbel

The politics of hydrocarbons in Central Asia has been a regular ballroom lately, with strange partners pairing up and then dancing apart. The dance begins in Denmark, to which country Vladimir Putin has just pledged to increase the flow of gas: We are grateful to the Danish Government for giving permission for the construction of [...]

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And he had the best time ever… [Pecs]

by Nathan Hamm
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Vladimir Putin decided to make a foray into the distant wilderness of Tuva with naught but a few male companions (and a reporting crew…) to engage in manly endeavors such as building fires, boating, fishing, swimming, and shirtless horseback riding. Foreign Policy has the photos and Times Online has the video and story. As much [...]

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Uzbekistan Protests New Russian Base

by Nathan Hamm
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Uzbekistan is stepping up its criticism of Russia’s plan to open a second military base in Kyrgyzstan, this one to be placed near Uzbekistan’s border in the Ferghana Valley. It has stepped up the rhetoric, claiming that the new base would destabilize the region and provoke extremists. “The implementation of such projects on complex and [...]

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