News Digest
RUSSIAN COMPANY BUYS KYRGYZ CELL OPERATOR FROM KAZAKH INVESTORS
By empty (12/12/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Russia\'s MobileTelesystems (MTS), the country\'s largest cellular operator, announced on 12 December that it has acquired a 51 percent stake in Kyrgyz cellular operator Bitel from Kazakhstan\'s Alliance Capital for $150 million. MTS also acquired an option to buy out the rest of Bitel by the end of 2006. Alliance, which reports have linked to the family of former Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev, has been embroiled in a conflict with Russia\'s Alfa Group since Alliance acquired Bitel this spring.USA ALLOCATES 15 MLN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN AZERBAIJAN
By empty (12/11/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
United States Development Agency has allocated 15 million dollars for the program on development of democracy in Azerbaijan. Ambassador of this country to Azerbaijan Rino Harnish said this program is meant for 5 years and would be directed to numerous projects in development of democracy in the frame of the said program, as well as strengthening of civil society institutions. Besides, the United States Government has started another $11 million project to continue the projects for development of communities.TWO SUICIDE BELTS FOUND IN CHECHNYA
By empty (12/11/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
A cache containing two explosive belts packed with four kilograms of plastique and two kilograms of TNT has been discovered outside the village of Urdyukhoi in Chechnya\'s Shatoi district. Three mines, electric detonators and other items of ammunition were confiscated from the cache as well, a source in the republic\'s Interior Ministry told Interfax. A plastic bag containing a Borz assault rifle, seven blocks of TNT, five grenades and five detonators has been found near the village of Roshni-Chu in Chechnya\'s Urus-Martan district.POLICE KILLED IN TALEBAN ASSAULT
By empty (12/10/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Seven police officers and five Taleban fighters have been killed during an assault on government offices in southern Afghanistan. Police said militants armed with machine guns and rockets attacked district offices in Helmand province. Helmand has seen a major escalation in violence this year.Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.