Around the Bloc

Tajikistan’s Airlines Get a Deadline, Georgia Aims to Destroy Illegal Tapes

Plus, a Bosnian official holds up a key border agreement and Kyrgyzstan struggles to solve the ‘Batken question.’

By Ioana Caloianu, Barbara Frye, Vladimir Matan, and Molly Jane Zuckerman

18 June 2013

Around the Bloc

Scandal Leads to Czech Leader’s Exit, Hague Judge Questions Court’s Judgment

Plus, an infant caught in Bosnia’s ID imbroglio dies and protesters in Bulgaria continue to call for change.

By Barbara Frye, Vladimir Matan, Erik N. Nelson, and Molly Jane Zuckerman

17 June 2013

Conflict & Diplomacy

Abkhazia’s Railway Offers Vital Trade Link

Despite clear benefits, reopening the route would be fraught with problems. From IWPR.

By Anaid Gogoryan, Nino Gerzmava, and Tigran Hovhannisyan

17 June 2013

Around the Bloc

Prokhorov To Sit Out Moscow Mayoral Race, Anti-Corruption Raids in Prague

Plus, a Roman relic is at risk in Albania, and Bulgarians protest a controversial appointment to a key security post.

By S. Adam Cardais, Ioana Caloianu, and Molly Jane Zuckerman

14 June 2013

Around the Bloc

Thousands March Against Putin, Bosnian Protests Prompt Government Shutdown

Plus, EU sentiment is dampened by a threat to Poland and Kazakhstan bans U.S. adoptions over an ‘orphan ranch.’

By Ioana Caloianu, Vladimir Matan, Erik N. Nelson, and Molly Jane Zuckerman

13 June 2013

Education

Not Ready for Their Close-Up

The installation of cameras during Moldova’s notoriously corrupt graduation exams raises hackles in one ethnic community.

By Natalia Ghilascu

13 June 2013

Around The Bloc

Duma Passes Anti-Gay Law, Kremlin Would Consider Asylum for NSA Leaker

Plus, Georgia is said to be the source of a ‘Taliban’ video and phone codes bedevil Serbia-Kosovo talks.

By Ioana Caloianu, Barbara Frye, Vladimir Matan, Erik N. Nelson, and Molly Jane Zuckerman

12 June 2013

Politics

In Albania, a Litmus-Test Campaign

After a long series of disputed elections, Albanians head to the polls under Brussels’ watchful gaze. By Besar Likmeta

12 June 2013

COLUMNS

Middle Europa

Storming the Castle

Two events in Warsaw show the region’s cognitive divide between officialdom and those who will really shape the future.

By MARTIN EHL

18 June 2013

Middle Europa

The Feniks Rises

With the luster worn off of their economic transformation, the Slovenians look to boost cooperation among businesses of the former Yugoslavia. 

By MARTIN EHL

11 June 2013

Balkan Eye

Just Another Swing

There it goes again, the Bulgarian political pendulum.By BOYKO VASSILEV

6 June 2013

Middle Europa

The Czechs’ Watery Crucible

The floods came crashing in on a country that had already had enough.

By MARTIN EHL

4 June 2013

Russian Unorthodox

What Is a Life Worth?

Precious little if you’re a prisoner in Russia.

By GALINA STOLYAROVA

30 May 2013

Middle Europa

What is Normal?

The 2008 crisis forced the foreign managers of companies to rethink much of what they had assumed about the post-communist region. 

By MARTIN EHL

21 May 2013

The New EU

Budapest’s Smoking Gun

Could a tobacco corruption scandal finally undo Hungary’s retrograde, hubristic government?By BALINT SZLANKO

15 May 2013