The Sochi Olympic Games and the Rise of Cossacks in the North Caucasus
By Tomáš Baranec (the 19/02/2014 of the CACI Analyst)
On December 5, 2013, Patriarch Kirill publicly supported the plans of Stavropol governor Valery Zerenkov to resettle the Semirechensk Cossacks from Kyrgyzstan to the North Caucasus. This was the most recent in a series of signs showing the steady rise of official support for the Cossacks in the region. Initially this development was frequently attributed to the need for increasing the security of the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi, highlighted by the recent terrorist attacks in Pyatigorsk and Volgograd. However, the amount of support the Cossacks have started to receive suggests that they may play a much more important role in the Kremlin's strategy.
The Turkic Council: Will the Turks Finally Unite?
By Alim Bayaliyev (the 19/02/2014 of the CACI Analyst)
In early June this year, Turkey will host the fourth Summit of the Turkic Council, an intergovernmental organization that brings together Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey. Presidents Ilham Aliyev, Nursultan Nazarbayev, Almazbek Atambayev, and Abdullah Gül will discuss a wide range of issues related to multilateral cooperation among their countries as well as other matters pertaining to the broader regional context. While the Council has since its establishment in 2009 made meaningful progress on institutionalizing the interaction among the engaged Turkic states, it will take more time and a concerted effort to build a strong, vibrant, and sustainable political alliance.
Kyrgyzstan's President Announces 2014 as Year of Strengthening Statehood
By Jamil Payaz (the 19/02/2014 of the CACI Analyst)
On January 30, President Almazbek Atambayev signed a decree announcing 2014 as the year of strengthening statehood. He stated that the main threats to Kyrgyzstan’s statehood emanate from tensions within the political elite and irresponsible activities of some politicians that jeopardize national security and people’s unity. The decree comes at a time when the opposition has grown increasingly weak after a number of corruption cases have been launched against its leaders. Critics say the government’s campaign for enforcing the rule of law and against corruption are applied selectively.
Kyrgyzstan's New United Opposition Movement
By Arslan Sabyrbekov (the 19/02/2014 of the CACI Analyst)
At a meeting on February 12, the leaders of several political parties in Kyrgyzstan established a United Opposition Movement and elected an opposition member of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Ravshan Jeenbekov, as its leader.
“CACI Analyst, February 05, 2014”
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