
The North Caucasus, home of a low-level Islamist insurgency, is easily Europe’s worst conflict zone. Moscow has lost authority over the territory—but no one else has gained it.

If proven to be part of a Caucasian-based jihad, the Boston Marathon bombings would be the first time Islamist actions from that region had been perpetrated against the United States.

The Boston Marathon bombing offers evidence of the importance of Moscow and Washington sharing intelligence on security issues.

It is important not to assume there is a link between the Tsarnaev brothers and the motivations behind Chechen separatist or Islamist groups.

For the foreseeable future, the Commonwealth of Independent States should remain Russia’s significant foreign policy priority. Its policies toward individual CIS countries will be shaped by Russian leaders’ practical interests and needs, and also by the changing environment.

The Tajik president should rethink his commitment to building the controversial Rogun Dam and explore other ways to revamp the country’s energy sector.

Russia has no intentions of getting involved again in Afghanistan. Yet Central Asian republics now fear instability on their borders as NATO’s 100,000-strong presence ends.

The Kazakh nuclear experience is a reminder of the power of diplomacy and the economic incentives at the disposal of the international community.

“The Desert of Forbidden Art” tells the incredible story of how a treasure trove of banned Soviet art worth millions of dollars was stashed in a far-off desert of Uzbekistan.

As the poorest country in Central Asia, Tajikistan continues to face many challenges, including corruption and a lack of basic freedoms for its citizens.