Field Reports
KURULTAI AND FORUM ON THE SUBJECT OF AKSY BLOODSHED IN KYRGYZSTAN
Two separate events discussing the Aksy bloodshed took place in Bishkek lately, one government-sponsored and one opposition-led. Opposition figures reiterated ther far-reaching demands, while the government shows no sign of taking serious action.
THE SPOILS OF WAR: GENEROUS DONORS FLOCK TO UZBEKISTAN
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami was the last in a lost of foreign leaders that visited Uzbekistan and pledged financial support for the country. The U.S., China and Turkey have all sent high-level delegations to Tashkent. The changes in financial aid and attention reflect the changing geopolitical configurations in the Central Asian region.
IS RUSSIA PREPARING TO SOLVE THE CASPIAN SEA PROBLEM BY FORCE?
A day after the Ashgabat talks on the Caspian sea ended in failure, Russian President Vladimir Putin announce Russia would hold extensive military exercises in the Caspian sea, pointing to the risk of an increased militarization of the political situation in the Caspian sea. Azerbaijan and Iran both voiced concern, while Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have yet to react.
