By Erica Marat (9/30/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Numerous assassinations and violent attacks against regime opponents have reportedly been plotted by security officials and criminal groups in Kyrgyzstan. Such invasive participation of security institutions in civilian life demonstrates their growing political role in Kyrgyzstan under President Kurmanbek Bakiev’s regime. Loyalty towards the ruling regime among military officials is becoming more important than their professionalism.

By Stephen Blank (9/30/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

On August 11, President Dmitry Medvedev sent a letter to the Duma urging it to revise Russia’s laws on defense. He urged, specifically, that the Russian Armed Forces could be used in operations beyond Russia’s borders for the purposes of countering an attack against Russian Forces or other troops deployed beyond Russia’s borders; to counter or prevent an aggression against another country; to protect Russian citizens abroad; and to combat piracy and ensure safe passage of shipping.

By Alexandros Petersen (9/17/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)

This summer’s dispute over undersea Caspian energy resources between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, as well as Ashgabat’s recently stated intention to bolster its maritime military capabilities, have seemingly thrown Trans-Caspian relations into a tailspin, jeopardizing plans for energy cooperation to supply the strategic Nabucco natural gas pipeline. Given the Caspian’s delicate geopolitical balance, an international arbitration process on the Azerbaijani-Turkmen dispute may not in fact result in final resolution.