By Rafis Abazov (10/29/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

This fall the economic slowdown in Kazakhstan and Russia, especially accelerated by the global credit crunch during recent weeks, hit hard the Central Asian seasonal migrants and their families. It is estimated that between two and three million seasonal migrants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been working in various regions in Russia and Kazakhstan.

By Stephen Blank (8/20/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

By August 20, Russia has deployed approximately 20,000 land, sea and air forces  to recapture South Ossetia, occupy Abkhazia and invade Georgia, while also bombing civilian and military targets, and instituting a naval blockade. Russia’s goals are clear: to annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia, destroy Georgia’s defense capacity and economy, and in all likelihood continue to occupy Georgia until Saakashvili’s government is deposed. In other words, Moscow seeks to reduce Georgia to a satellite renouncing its Euro-Atlantic integration.

By Robert M. Cutler (8/20/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

With Georgian government websites shut down by cyber-attacks in the days immediately preceding hostilities, the Russian story of its army coming to the defense of South Ossetia in the face of Georgian assault gained currency. This script is still often invoked as a preface to any commentary or reportage on current developments.