YEMEN HEADED FOR ECONOMIC DISASTER...; WHILE WASHINGTON MOVES AGAINST AQAP; COMMISSION UPENDS IRAQI POLITICS; CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH SEEK MADRASSAS ABROAD

China expands anti-piracy mission in the Gulf; Landmark LNG deal with Australia prematurely terminated

The funny thing about windows of opportunity is that they have a way of closing. Over the past year, spurred by mounting worries over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Congress has taken up the issue of economic pressure against the Islamic Republic in earnest. The result is a series of sanctions bills aimed at targeting what is commonly viewed as the regime's economic Achilles' Heel: its deep dependence on foreign refined petroleum.

China aggravating tensions along Bhutan border; China strengthening economic bonds with Kazakhstan

BATTLE AGAINST AQAP MAKES FOR ODD COUPLES; HAMAS RAISES STAKES AT EGYPTIAN BORDER...; AND RESUMES ATTACKS ON ISRAEL ON EVE OF MISSILE SHIELD...; AMID ACCUSATIONS OF DISLOYALTY; KAZAKH-CHINA PIPELINE ONLINE

TURKEY LOOKS TO IRAN; ALL EYES ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH; SYRIA: A NEW SAFE HAVEN FOR AL-QAEDA?; ENERGY WARS IN CENTRAL ASIA

Another winter, another energy crisis?;
Poland in the crosshairs

When the eight states that now constitute Central Asia and the Caucasus freed themselves from the grip of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was perhaps inevitable that outside powers would rush to fill the vacuum. Of the eight at least three, the Caspian Basin states (Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) found themselves awash in natural resources. The remaining five (Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), though less endowed materially, are strategically situated along crucial energy, trade, and logistics corridors. The combination of renewed interest and a reopened playing field in the heart of Eurasia resulted in the rise of a new “Great Game,” reminiscent of the great-power contest of the 19th century between the British and Russian empires over access to India glorified by Rudyard Kipling in his day. A decade-and-a-half on, this Great Game has matured, and undergone important changes. More important, however, as the energy struggle evolved a new front in the Game emerged out of the ashes of the September 11th terrorist attacks: one that pits the United States against Russia for influence and basing rights in Central Asia.

Beijing finds environmental policies ignored; Anti-corruption drive catches another leader in its net

Sino-Burmese border growing unstable; China, India cancel annual war games