- Latvia’s borderland Latgale: A state within a state
A recent visit to Latgale to interview local leaders and figures in that region with a local Latvian friend reveals a mixed picture combining familiar long-standing problems with some new developments over the past few years.
- Russian media quiet on police crackdown
While television viewers around the world watched dramatic scenes of Russia"s police crackdown on opposition rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg over the April 14 - 15 weekend, those living inside the country may...
- Gas pipeline officials dangle carrot for Balts
Officials of NordStream, the $4 billion German-Russian gas pipeline project, have made clear the possibilities of building spurs to both Estonia and Latvia if the economic rationale and political will match up.
- The region in brief
The “Bourbon Dolphin,” a Norwegian supply vessel, sank in the North Sea on April 15, taking with it eight lives.
- Ukraine cool on alliance membership
Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, who recently made a controversial statement about “freezing” Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, defended his words during a recent meeting in Kiev with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.
- Finns left out of security party
The Riga NATO summit should have Finland reconsidering why it’s not a member of the security alliance, a leading international relations expert said.
- As drinking increases in Belarus, government declares war
Drinking has become such a problem in Belarus that it is threatening the very existence of the nation.
- In brief
While East Europeans flock to Germany for better wages, Germans go to… Norway.
- Court condemns Russia for Chechen’s disappearance
In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights has held Russia responsible for the disappearance and presumed death of a Chechen man.
- Belarus police search Latvian diplomat’s apartment, level accusations of vice
A serious diplomatic scandal ignited last week after Belarusian law enforcement officials accused a Latvian diplomat of distributing pornography after searching his Minsk apartment and confiscating personal belongings.
- The new silk road – struggle for cargoes
Transport and logistics have been always the cornerstones of Latvia’s economy.
- Moscow moves to extend pipeline
In April, the Russian oilpipeline monopoly Transneft announced that it had decided to support the construction of a new overland oil pipeline from the Bulgarian port of Burgas on the Black Sea to the Greek port of Alexandroupoli on the Aegean.
- EU: Brussels mulls over its energy resources
A new report underscores the growing importance of energy to the European Union’s foreign policy.
- Putin lays it on the line with EU leaders
Russia has taken an increasingly tough stance in its dealings with the European Union of late, turning the tables on Brussels by criticizing the bloc’s own policies on foreign policy, energy, privatization, and even human rights.
- Russian lawmakers decry dollar
Russian lawmakers on May 24 gave initial approval to a bill that would slap hefty fines on stores and other businesses that list prices in U.S. dollars or euros.
- EU Constitutional Treaty remains ‘a bridge too far’
The European Union has postponed making a decision on the future of its already stalled constitutional project.
- Americans fail geography, but are other nations better?
It’s a classic joke with an element of truth.
- Ukraine, Poland seek reconciliation over grisly history
When Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and his Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski traveled together to the Polish village of Pawlokoma on May 13, they took another step toward coming to terms with their nations’ common historical legacy.
- In brief
Russia banned imports of Georgia’s bestknown brand of mineral water just weeks after having banned imports of Georgian wines.
- Amnesty International decries U.S. ‘climate of torture’
A new report by Amnesty International accuses Washington of creating a “climate of torture” in its treatment of alleged terrorist suspects around the world, as well as in prisons within the United States.