Topic: Commonwealth of Independent States

Ukraine heads back into the arms of Mother Russia

Despite a dispute over fraud allegations in the wake of Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine, pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovich is set to become the next president in what will be a dramatic shift back to pro-Kremlin policies.

Ukraine election: Growing concern of fraud

Yulia Tymoshenko, the fiery heroine of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, warned of massive fraud by her rival Viktor Yanukovich in Sunday's election and threatened to call for street protests. But few Ukrainians seem eager to march.

Abkhazia insists independence from Georgia assured after disputed election

Pro-Russian incumbent President Sergei Bagapsh won a crushing first-round victory this weekend with 59.4 percent of the vote critics say was fraudulent.

Georgia started war with Russia, says EU

Georgia was blamed for starting the 2008 war with Russia, a new EU report says. But it also says Russia then invaded South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russia-China war games battle extremists, separatists

In a first, the games will range across Russian as well as Chinese territory near Khabarovsk in the far east.

Ingushetia bombing undercuts Russia's claims of a calmer neighborhood

Continued violence in the North Caucusus region could be fueled by anger over corruption, experts say.

Georgia protests revive charges of foreign meddling

Embattled President Saakashvili has accused Russians of financing a popular movement to oust him.

Moldovans erupt in protest after decades of silence

Thousands of young Moldovans stormed through the capital to protest alleged fraud in elections won by the Communist Party.

Kyrgyzstan: US base closure 'final'

Russia, Ukraine near gas deal - but what about next time?

Europe begins to feel gas pipeline pinch

The Russia-Ukraine gas war has left some downstream nations with only a mild shortfall, but has incited debate on how to secure energy reserves amid regional instability.

Ukraine will pay its $2 billion Russian gas bill

Ukraine said Tuesday that will avoid a Kremlin cutoff in gas supplies. European gas customers breathed sighs of relief.

Roots of Georgia-Russia clash run deep

The war broadened Monday as Russian troops moved beyond rebel provinces into Georgia proper.

Russia-Georgia tensions escalate over breakaway republic

The reported downing of two unmanned Georgian spy drones over Abkhazia come as both sides accuse each other of preparing for war.

U.N. takes up Russia-Georgia crisis over downed drone

The Security Council meets today to discuss Tbilisi's allegation that Russia shot down its spy aircraft. Moscow says the drone's flight over the breakaway region of Abkhazia violates a cease-fire.

Armenia crackdown: an ex-Soviet pattern?

A state of emergency remains in place, after protesters alleging election fraud were dispersed last week.

Tajikistan weather crisis could worsen, aid workers warn

A quarter of a million citizens need immediate food assistance after a record-cold winter left most of the Central Asian country without electricity.