Russia
Opium Growers Defy Ban
Farmers are still planting poppies across many provinces – and will continue to do so until compensation is offered.
Satellite TV Craze
Bored with turgid domestic television, Afghans rig up once-banned satellite dishes for some light relief.
Instability Threatens Reconstruction
Efforts to rebuild Afghanistan are being undermined by warlordism and the resurgence of the Taleban.
Chechnya: Ceasefire or Bluff?
Rebels have offered a unilateral ceasefire, but Moscow and its local allies have rejected it outright
Premier's Death Heralds Challenging Days for Georgia
President Saakashvili has appointed a new prime minister to replace the late Zurab Zhvania, but filling the space he left will be more difficult.
Armenian Atomic Dilemma
Aging nuclear power station is a vital source of energy for Armenia, but its future is uncertain given its location on geological and political faultlines.
South Ossetia Standoff Continues
Tskhinval blames Georgia for “provocations” designed to undermine the breakaway republic’s credibility.
Azerbaijan's Passport Rush
Chaos and corruption as Azerbaijanis trade in their old identity documents.