GEORGIA’S TEST AND THE ROLE OF THE WEST
By Kelli Hash-Gonzalez and Mamuka Tsereteli (4/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Georgia is facing yet another political challenge. In the wake of a devastating war with Russia and continued Russian occupation of Georgian territories, a broad coalition of political parties and civic organizations is demanding political changes in the country. In fact, it is becoming clear that stability cannot be maintained in Georgia without significant reform.
THE GROWTH OF COMMERCIAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN CENTRAL EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
By Sébastien Peyrouse (4/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Taken as a unified economic entity, the European Union constitutes the main trading partner of the Central Asian states. In 2007, it accounted for close to 30 percent of the trade of Central Asia, or a total of US$30 billion, compared to US$21 billion with Russia and around US$18 billion with China during the same year. A breakdown of these figures by state reveals the predictable dominance of Italy and Germany—followed by France, Great Britain, and the Benelux countries—but also demonstrates the rapid rise of Central Europe.
CHINA’S ‘PEACEFUL RISE’ IN CENTRAL ASIA
By Stephen Blank (4/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The global financial crisis has not left China unscathed, but its recent actions in and around Central Asia show that it has the means to turn the crisis to its advantage. Thus China’s “peaceful rise” is giving it hitherto undreamt of opportunities to secure strong commercial and economic linkages to Central Asian states and energy holdings. Neither is this program of action confined to Central Asia.
SCARY STATISTICS: THE STATE OF SCHOOLS IN KYRGYZSTAN
By Anvar Rahmetov (4/23/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
SCARY STATISTICS: THE STATE OF SCHOOLS IN KYRGYZSTAN
Anvar Rahmetov
Kyrgyz school education is in a catastrophic situation. The reading skills of 74 percent of fifteen-year old Kyrgyzstanis are below basic (“pass”) level. Math and sciences results are even worse – failing students constitute 84 percent and 82 percent respectively.
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