Shady export leaks suggest Russian sanctions work 29 Aug 2023 A suspicious bump in European exports to countries like Kazakhstan may be helping Moscow evade Western bans. The G7 price cap on Putin’s oil is also porous. But these cracks are marginal and help demonstrate the embargoes’ effectiveness – and why they can be tightened.
Small step for some is giant leap for Uzbekistan 14 Dec 2016 The landlocked central Asian country has poor human rights and low foreign investment. But new President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has made encouraging changes, like restoring air links with Tajikistan and scrapping visas for some foreigners. There is far to go, but it’s a start.