Alaco

One week on from unprecedented - and largely unexpected - violence in Kazakhstan, old assumptions have been thrown out the window and figures close to the former President Nursultan Nazarbayev find themselves in unfamiliar territory. On the face of things, Kazakhstan’s president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has broken free from the shackles of Nazarbayev’s legacy and indicated his intention to reform Kazakh economic and security institutions, widely viewed as propping up the current Nazarbayev-linked elite. more >

After her electoral victory, Moldova’s new president will seek to fend off old guard opponents as she sets a European path for her country.more >

The victory of the pro-Western politician Maia Sandu shows Putin is losing his grip over Russia’s near abroad.more >

President wants to disband the country’s constitutional court after it reversed key reforms. more >

In the dying days of the Trump presidency, the US pledges funds for efforts to close huge development gap between western and eastern European countries. more >

Only concerted western pressure can break the current impasse on reform – a stasis that could destabilise the country.more >

Covid-defying foreign investment in IT reflects huge potential for mobile-driven commerce and development.more >

The battle against financial crime has been strengthened by Washington’s blacklisting of cryptocurrency addresses used to facilitate illicit cyber activity. more >

“Bullying” in the South China Sea threatens littoral states’ hydrocarbon exploration efforts.more >