Topic: Commonwealth of Independent States
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Global News Blog
Kazakhstan vote fails key democracy test, say officials (+video)
The oil-rich former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan has yet to hold an election that Western observers agree is fair, despite 20 years of democracy.
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Ahead of Russian elections, quashed Ossetia vote embarrasses Moscow
The crushing of an apparently legitimate election victory in South Ossetia, a key client state of Moscow, could bring a fresh wave of unwanted attention to Russia's own problematic democracy.
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Russia reconquers Eastern Europe via business
Russia's Kremlin-backed businesses are snapping up assets in former Eastern Europe, though governments are still wary.
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Kyrgyzstan elections: Unity top priority for Atambayev
Newly elected Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev has said his biggest challenge will be to unify the country, which has seen two revolutions and a string of questionable elections during the past decade.
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Yulia Tymoshenko sentence may push Ukraine away from EU, toward Russia
Yulia Tymoshenko, the Ukrainian opposition leader, was sentenced to seven years in prison for 'criminal abuse' during her term as prime minister, though critics say the trial was politically motivated.
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Russia, Georgia remain in distrustful deadlock on anniversary of 2008 war
The US Senate this week called on Russia to stop its 'occupation' of two breakaway enclaves that were once part of Georgia. But both sides appear to be hardening their positions.
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West threatens more sanctions as Belarus hits opposition with tough sentences
President Alexander Lukashenko may face further isolation after a Belarusian court sentenced a former presidential candidate to five years in prison and put his wife on probation. Moscow may help economically, but on tough terms.
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Belarus economy appears to unravel in wake of terror attack, crackdown
A terrorist attack in Belarus last week and dire warnings aimed at the opposition by President Lukashenko prompted many Belarussians to exchange currency and stockpile supplies.
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As world rethinks nuclear power, Russia to invest $9 billion in Belarus plant
While much of the world is questioning investment in nuclear power amid Japan's crisis, Russia announced it will build a reactor in Belarus, where large areas remain closed off due to the Chernobyl meltdown.
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Belarus election ends in protests, police crackdown
Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko won a fourth term by a significant majority, but large protests by the opposition and a harsh police response signal this could be a difficult term.
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With Ukraine's blessing, Russia to beef up its Black Sea Fleet
Moscow's upgrade to its Black Sea Fleet – headquartered with Ukraine's blessing at Sevastopol – could make waves around the Black Sea, where NATO has a strong presence.
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Kyrgyzstan elections signal unease with parliamentary rule
Weekend Kyrgyzstan elections came off smoothly and fairly. But they also demonstrate popular unease with reforms designed to prevent a return to one-man rule.
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Kyrgyzstan riots led to ethnic cleansing; government blames Bakiyev
The Kyrgyzstan riots that ethnically cleansed the city of Osh of much of its Uzbek population could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. The interim government blames ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and says the situation is improving.
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Ukraine-Russia relations: Why Kiev made a dramatic U-turn back toward Moscow
President Viktor Yanukovich was elected in February on pledges to restore Ukraine-Russia relations. But he has acted more swiftly than anyone imagined, reversing the pro-West moves of the Orange Revolution.
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Eggs flying in Parliament, Ukraine approves deal for closer Russia ties
The Ukraine parliament approved a deal today to extend a Russia naval lease on Sevastopol in exchange for cheaper gas, despite an egg-throwing fracas by enraged opposition members.
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Kyrgyzstan authorizes deadly force on wave of riots, looting
Deposed Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev insisted from Belarus on Wednesday he was still the country's rightful leader, while the interim government in Bishkek authorized the use of deadly force to put down looting and ethnic violence.
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Deadly riots in Kyrgyzstan challenge interim government
Ten days after an interim government overthrew the president in Kyrgyzstan, riots have killed several people and mobs are seizing ethnic minorities’ land and businesses.
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Protests topple Kyrgyz government, Roza Otunbayeva takes charge
Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appeared to confirm Thursday he had lost control of the country's armed forces as former ally Roza Otunbayeva took charge of a provisional Kyrgyz government.
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Yanukovich kills Ukraine's bid to join NATO
Russia-leaning president Viktor Yanukovich has scrapped Ukraine's plans to join the Western military alliance, dissolving the commissions on European and NATO integration established after the Orange Revolution.
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Georgia opposition leader slams Russian invasion hoax in interview
Nino Burdzhanadze told the Monitor she believes that Saakashvili ordered the Russian invasion hoax to sow anti-Russia panic and tar Georgia's opposition, which has been calling for his resignation for more than a year.
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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.
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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.
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Global News Blog
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.
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Global News Blog
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.
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Global News Blog
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.
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