– by Onnik Krikorian The South Caucasus has always been a volatile and unstable region riven by ethnic conflict and instability. This has especially been the case since the breakup of the Soviet Union and not least because the region is often considered the gateway between Europe and Central Asia, as well as where the competing interests […]
Russia Today 2
On February 1, I wrote a short Ground Report on the English language news program, Russia Today, defining it along with CNN, BBC, Aljazeera as one of the many 24 hours news coverage destined for abroad, i.e. outside the program’s country of origin. Now that Vladimir Putin had invited George W. Bush to Sochi in […]
There is Peace. We Have a New Airport. People Are Satisfied
It was once the most destroyed city in Europe, until last year bearing a striking resemblance to Stalingrad. But, almost nine years after Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to recapture the separatist republic of Chechnya at any cost, its capital Grozny has been transformed. The bullet-ridden houses have disappeared. There is a new airport, with […]
Kremlin’s Medvedev leads in Russian vote count
President Vladimir Putin’s chosen candidate Dmitry Medvedev has won Russia’s presidential election on Sunday by a huge margin, according to exit polls and first official results. Figures from state-owned pollster VTsIOM said Medvedev had won 69.6 per cent of the vote, way ahead of his nearest challenger, veteran Communist Gennady Zyuganov, on 17.2 per cent. […]
‘Undertaker’ Close to Power in Serbia
A former cemeteries manager known as the undertaker stands his best chance of becoming head of state when Serbia votes tomorrow in a fateful presidential election. To his many critics, the extreme nationalist Tomislav Nikolic will be digging Serbia’s grave if he repeats his first-round victory, plunging the pivotal Balkan country into renewed isolation, and […]
Russia warned on Monday that Kosovo could slip into Crisis
Russia warned on Monday that Kosovo could slip into "uncontrollable crisis," ahead of a United Nations Security Council showdown over the Serbian province’s Western-backed push for independence. Throwing down the gauntlet, the Foreign Ministry warned in a statement that the "indulgence" of some countries in allowing Kosovo to move towards independence could have "serious negative […]