Analysis

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  Analysis

  2021-12-13

  China's security expansion in Tajikistan sparks concerns in Russia

  A deal for a Chinese-built base for Tajik security forces is the latest sign of Beijing's growing influence in Central Asia -- and of Russia's weakening clout.

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  Analysis

  2021-12-02

  Kremlin pushes Uzbekistan to join EEU as observers warn of risks

  Without the participation of Central Asia's largest republic, 'Moscow's chauvinistic superpower strategy won't be realised,' one observer said, as Putin once again pressures Tashkent.

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  Analysis

  2021-11-29

  Stretched thin and cash-strapped, Iran deemed ill-prepared for next domestic uprising

  The Islamic Republic's crackdown on regularly occurring domestic protests will become more challenging as it contends with funding and manpower shortages, observers say.

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  Analysis

  2021-10-08

  Tense ties: Isolated Iran acts out, tries to intimidate Azerbaijan

  Increasingly isolated in the region, Tehran appears to be acting out, this time creating tensions with Baku over a military exercise on its border.

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  Analysis

  2021-08-11

  Central Asian summit marks latest step toward regional co-operation

  A stronger, more cohesive Central Asia poses a threat to Moscow, which is fanning fear of the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan in an attempt pull the region closer into its orbit.

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  Analysis

  2021-07-07

  The great coverup: how China tried to trick the world about COVID-19

  Beijing's obsession with secrecy regarding the origins of the coronavirus has fuelled suspicions about the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

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  Analysis

  2021-06-09

  'New dangers' arising as Russia and China tighten military, political ties

  Concerns over the Russia-China alliance are growing globally, but they are especially acute in Central Asia, where the two behemoths are vying for power.

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  Analysis

  2021-06-01

  Report details how Russia stranded unpaid Syrian mercenaries in foreign conflicts

  Syrian mercenaries were often paid only a fraction of the money they were promised and sent without warning to foreign conflicts, often forcing them to resort to a life of crime to survive.

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  Analysis

  2021-04-20

  A hitch in China's global pandemic strategy: its vaccines might not work

  Chinese-made vaccines 'don't have very high rates of protection', a senior official said, raising concerns for the recipients of China's so-called 'public good'.

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  Analysis

  2021-04-01

  Kremlin influence agent Prigozhin faces harsh reality as international fugitive

  'Businessman' Yevgeny Prigozhin is pulling the strings on a number of influence campaigns around the world on behalf of the Kremlin, but the international legal noose is tightening.