Domestic Politics

As an uneasy calm returns to Kazakhstan, it seems that once again, the only beneficiary from another crisis in the post-Soviet space has been Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Maximiliaan van Lange in this op-ed for commonspace.eu. Putin’s decision to quickly deploy airborne troops as part of a "peacekeeping force" to support the Kazakh regime in controlling the turmoil surprised even some Russian commentators who have called it inappropriate. But by its actions, Moscow is sending a message that it will not tolerate turmoil in former Soviet states. With this step, Russia has considerably strengthened its position in Kazakhstan and nips in the bud the risk of a domino effect in Central Asia

Dozens of people were killed in protests in Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, Almaty during the night from Wednesday to Thursday (6 January), according to local police. On Thursday, Russia sent airborne forces to Kazakhstan as part of a "peacekeeping force". According to Moscow, they will be used to guard important buildings and sites, among other things. The Kremlin has not said how many troops have been deployed.

Kazakh President Kasim Jomart Tokayev has dismissed his government after a wave of unprecedented demonstrations in the Central Asian republic, triggered by an increase in energy prices.

Armenia has become a "must visit" destination for those contesting next spring's French presidential elections. Alexandre Petrosyan discusses why, in this oped for commonspace.eu

The Sudanese prime minister, Abdulla Hamdok has told a group of national political and civil society figures that he intends to resign today (22 December). The group had called on Hamdok to stay in office but sources claim he insists on leaving.

For many in Armenia, the IT sector is like an oasis in the desert, attracting the best talent and providing conditions that others envy. In this op-ed Benyamin Poghosyan says that given the current disillusionment with the existing political forces, the leaders of the IT sector should seriously think about entering politics to create the Armenia of their vision.