A deal between Russia and Tajikistan over the use of a Tajik airport suggests Tajikistan might be looking toward Russia as its security guarantor. (With Stratfor maps)[more]
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, including China and Russia, will consider the membership of five new countries on July 25. Which countries they do or do not decide to include will dramatically effect the future of the organization. [more]
The five Central Asian states are debating switching from the Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet in an attempt to end their relative isolation and loosen their ties to Russia. [more]
Kazakhstan, one of the largest wheat exporters in the world, is considering reducing or even halting grain exports. This could have unpleasant consequences for the other four Central Asian states. (With Stratfor map)[more]
"The Saudis are not unhappy to see lower oil prices squeezing Iran," says George Friedman, chief executive of the Austin, Tex. intelligence outfit Stratfor. "They just don't want prices to get low enough that it forces Iran to do something crazy."
Forbes.com November 6, 2008
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