Central Asia

Daily Memo: Belarus’ Combat Readiness Check, European Sanctions on Iran

Making preparations. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered on Tuesday a snap check of troops’ combat readiness. As part of the inspection, military equipment and...

Daily Memo: Concerns Over Kosovo Tensions

Tensions in the Balkans. Roughly 300 Kosovo special forces arrived in the Serb-majority town of Kosovska Mitrovica on Thursday amid heightened tensions among residents...

Daily Memo: Putin’s Comments on the Future of the Ukraine War

Putin's remarks. At a meeting of Russia’s Human Rights Council, President Vladimir Putin made several statements regarding the future of the “special military operation”...

Daily Memo: Beijing to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions

Backing down. China announced an easing of its COVID-19 containment measures. Beijing’s new 10-point plan allows people who have tested positive but who have...

Daily Memo: EU Leaders Eye Deal on Russian Oil Price Cap

Inching closer. EU leaders have agreed tentatively on a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian seaborne oil, with an adjustment mechanism to keep...

Daily Memo: Protests and Exercises

More protests in China. Another protest took place in the Chinese manufacturing hub of Guangzhou on Tuesday night. Police eventually dispersed the demonstrators. Today,...

Daily Memo: Syrian Kurds Worried About a Turkish Offensive

Appealing for help. A commander with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces reportedly met with the head of Russian forces in Syria to discuss a...

Daily Memo: Chinese Protests, Venezuelan Oil

Anger over zero-COVID. Widespread protests against China's strict COVID-19 containment measures erupted across the country on Sunday. In Beijing and Shanghai, the demonstrations turned...

Daily Memo: Good News for German Industry?

German industry. Germany’s purchasing managers’ index rose to 46.7 in November from 45.1 in October, jumping for the first time since the war in...

Daily Memo: Developments in Syria

Syria update. A new round of talks on ending the Syrian conflict is starting in Kazakhstan. The “Astana format” negotiations involve Russia, Turkey and...

Daily Memo: Anticipating Protests Ahead of Kazakh Vote

Potential unrest. Kazakh authorities are concerned about potential unrest ahead of the Nov. 20 presidential election. Calls for participation in protests and rallies on...

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