Domestic Politics

Russia continues to pile pressure on Armenia. It realises it is loosing the grip that it has had on the country ever since its independence in 1991. Now, Russia is also using its influence on Iran, a country that borders Armenia, to add pressure on the government of Nikol Pashinyan. According to some Armenian media outlets Iran has demanded that security for the TRIPP project in Armenia be ensured exclusively by the Armenian Armed Forces or the armed forces of a third country already present on Armenian territory. The only such third country at the moment is Russia. Iranian authorities fear that American forces can be deployed to protect the TRIPP route and this could result in the encirclement of Iran. Yet the deployment of US troops has never been under consideration. The Armenian authorities have assured that the implementation of the TRIPP project will not create any challenges or threats for Iran. This latest development follows a tense meeting between Russian president Vladimir Putin and Armenia prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan in Bishkek. The Russian president was transmiting "hot and cold" in Bishkek. With Pashinyan, the atmosphere was certainly cold. This politicial pressure comes on top of a series of economic measures that Moscow has ordered that try to stifle the Armenian economy. But Pashinyan and his government remain defiant. The governent plan for 2026-31 speaks about a balanced foreign policy. Russia's primary role in Armenia is over.This politicial pressure comes on top of a series of economic measures that Moscow has ordered that try to stifle the Armenian economy. But Pashinyan and his government remain defiant. The governent plan for 2026-31 speaks about a balanced foreign policy. Russia's primary role in Armenia is over. (click image to read the analysis in full)

Kazakhstan held parliamentary elections last week, under a new constitution. They were far from perfect, as international observers noted, but they heralded a new era in Kazakh politics. President Tokayev has to thread carefully, and balance various interests – not least Putin’s Russia, which considers Kazakhstan an artificial creation, that should always be under Russian control. China has been nibbling into Russian interests in Central Asia, but doing it in its own way, mainly through the many economic tools that it possesses. But Central Asia countries, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, now also want to develop their relations with Europe and the west. And internally they are slowly reforming too. This process needs to be supported and encouraged. Kazakhstan’s first unicameral parliament, called Kurultai, began its work following the country’s constitutional reforms, and elections, replacing the former two-chamber Parliament. Of its 145 deputies, 111 are new members, while women now hold nearly one-third of the seats and youth representation has increased. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on lawmakers to modernize legislation and bring existing laws into line with the new Constitution. Key priorities include digitalization, artificial intelligence, migration policy and social legislation. The elections held on 23 August “were technically well-prepared”, according to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, one of the organisations that observed the elections, “but took place in an environment lacking political pluralism”. Political choice was limited, as all contesting parties supported the incumbent President’s policies. The campaign was orderly with equal conditions, though the new Adilet party held an undue advantage. Laws revised shortly before the vote with limited consultation fall short of international standards on political participation. (click image to read more)