Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Follow Carnegie
- Search
- Global Resources
Global Centers
Languages
Although the Georgian political scene may benefit from the shake-up caused by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishivili’s campaign for the presidency, there is concern that Georgians are embracing this new phenomenon because of his money and the hope that he can be another savior.
After two decades of existence, the countries of the South Caucasus face the short-term threat of renewed conflict and the longer-term challenge of avoiding a slide into global irrelevance.
While Vladimir Putin is unlikely to give up power any time soon, the political and economic system he created is incapable of dealing with Russia’s rapidly changing conditions. Crises are likely unavoidable unless Russia changes and modernizes.
Even as the world marked the birth of its seven billionth person last month, a few countries, including Moldova and Armenia, are confronting the problem of insufficient population.
Despite the hopes placed in the political negotiations in Chisinau over the past few weeks, the Moldovan people may not have a new president any time soon.
Putin's political success depends on a managed democracy, a strong hand, and his informal authority—factors that have trickled down through the system and helped to enshrine corruption at the lower levels.
Putin's promise is simple and appealing: Stability for Russian politics, and self-confidence for the Russian nation.
While Ukraine’s leadership continues to emphasize the importance of the country’s alignment with Europe, recent domestic developments paint a very different picture.
When Vladimir Putin reclaims Russia’s helm in 2012, he will have to manage an economy that has lost its momentum and is approaching stagnation. Falling oil and gas revenues will only make his job more challenging.
Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West has yet to adjust to the post-Soviet reality and Russia has not settled on its relationship with the rest of the world.