Vladimir Putin’s vision of an expanded Eurasian Customs Union poses a dilemma for Central Asia’s former Soviet republics – do they privilege their relations with Russia or deepen their ties with China? Li Lifan and Raffaello Pantucci consider the problems…
Category: Politics
Russia’s European Prospects
MOSCOW (ISN)– In 1966, Charles de Gaulle’s vision of a Europe “that stretched from the Atlantic to the Urals” was provocative. Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin has advanced an even more ambitious goal: “a common market stretching from the Atlantic…
Vladimir Putin warns foreigners not to intervene in Russian politics
Guardian: Vladimir Putin has warned against foreign meddling in Russia‘s politics in a speech designed to spell out his priorities for the year ahead. “Direct or indirect meddling in our domestic politics is unacceptable,” Putin told a gathering of around 1,000 politicians in…
The Obama victory and Russia
EIU: The Russian establishment has generally welcomed and been relieved at the re-election of the US president, Barack Obama. The authorities were right to be relieved. Attempts to argue that the outcome of the election would make no difference, or…
Country ratings for political/financial risk
RATINGS CHANGES There were changes to risk scores in 37 countries during the latest monthly updating cycle of the Risk Briefing model. These led to upgrades of the overall score in only four cases, but there were 17 downgrades. In…
Chavez dirty tricks? Venezuela prints a confusing ballot
CSMonitor: Ballots are already printed for Sunday’s election in Venezuela, but the opposition candidate’s photo is shown in at least four places where, if marked, the vote will not be counted for his party.
Georgia election could herald change of allies
(Reuters) – Public anger over a prison abuse scandal played into a parliamentary election in Georgia on Monday which could determine if the former Soviet republic keeps its close relationship with the West or moves back to Russia’s orbit.
Romney Gains, Obama Drops in United States Presidential Race
This month, the president is not the top choice for independent voters and his lead among women has dwindled.
Mexico politics: Election time – VIDEO
FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT On July 1st, Mexicans head to the polls to elect a new president. Although Enrique Peña Nieto, of the PRI, is widely tipped as the favourite, all candidates have been campaigning vigorously, and prospects for…
Romney Overtakes Obama in United States Presidential Race
Mitt Romney is ahead of Barack Obama in a head-to-head United States presidential match-up for the first time since January, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.