Iran’s Supreme Leader Opts to Back Ahmadinejad’s Re-Election
BY KAMAL NAZER YASIN
For the first time since the early days of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the country’s supreme spiritual leader has plunged into partisan politics. The development, some experts speculate, could be an indicator that the time for compromise with the international community on Iran’s nuclear program has passed.

Turkey: Taking a Go-Slow Approach in the Caucasus and Central Asia
BY JOSHUA KUCERA
Turkey is pursuing a go-slow diplomatic line in the Caucasus and Central Asia, stressing a "complementary" policy, in which Ankara strives to retain its strong strategic relationship with the United States and European Union while at the same time cultivating wider ties with Russia.

Kazakhstan: Bank Reports Upbeat News, But No Word on Last Quarter of 2008
One of Kazakhstan’s leading banks, Kazkommertsbank, is claiming that it weathered the crisis which ravaged the country’s financial sector in late 2008.

Uzbekistan: Tashkent Tells Dushanbe to Cough Up More Transit Fees
Uzbekistan’s penchant for charging transit fees on anything that moves in or out of Tajikistan has been extended to trucks and buses.

Turkmenistan: Authorities Intimidate RFE/RL Correspondent
A correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty working in Turkmenistan has been warned that he will face retribution, if he continues reporting for the broadcaster’s Turkmen service.

Tajikistan: Agricultural Reforms Urgently Needed -- Expert
A leading Tajik political analyst is calling on the government to carry out urgent reforms in the Central Asian nation’s beleaguered agricultural sector. A collectivized approach is no longer viable, the expert contends.

Turkmenistan: New Envoy to Beijing Named
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has appointed Murad Sapargeldiyevich Nazarov Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to China, Turkmenistan.ru reported January 5.

Kazakhstan: Delegation Takes Off for Turkey
A delegation of Kazakhstani politicians was scheduled to arrive in Turkey on January 6 to hold a series of "informal meetings," the Kazinform news agency reported.

Cartoon Dispatches from Central Asia Political cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall has travelled extensively in Central Asia. Here, EurasiaNet features his irreverent take on the region.

Tajikistan: Construction Boom in Dushanbe Masks Economic Reality
A EURASIANET PHOTO ESSAY BY GEORGE CAMM
It’s an open secret that Tajikistan’s economy is in trouble. Yet despite dire predictions, Dushanbe will soon boast at least four new five-star hotels. The complexes scattered around the city center are part of a building surge that started two years ago when money from Russia’s energy-driven boom began trickling down to the Central Asian country.

Turkmenistan: The President Wants Ashgabat to Be Cutting Edge
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is insisting that an ambitious urban redevelopment program in Ashgabat and its suburbs must meet the "highest standards," Turkmen news agencies reported January 6.

Caucasus: The EU Seeks Broader Ties with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in 2009
BY LILI DI PUPPO
Brussels wants to enhance the European Union’s relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the coming year. In the absence of solid membership prospects, the question remains, however, whether the EU’s ideas about enhanced relations will meet the expectations of leaders of the three Caucasus states, as well as create a framework that can improve Brussels’ capabilities to address regional issues.

Turkmenistan: Ashgabat Reveals that Gas Won’t Start Flowing to China in 2009
Turkmenistan has postponed start date for exporting natural gas to China. At the same time, Ashgabat reported that work on a 7,000-kilometer transnational pipeline was proceeding at "full speed."

Kazakhstan: A Crime Wave Mars New Year’s Holiday Period
Kazakhstan experienced a mini-crime wave over the holiday period, statistics from the Emergency Ministry indicate.

Uzbekistan: Russian President to Visit Tashkent
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will begin a two-day visit to Uzbekistan on January 22, his first since he became the titular chief executive in the Kremlin last year.

Uzbekistan: Tashkent Extends Invitation to Turkmen Leader
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been invited to visit Uzbekistan on February 24-25.

Afghanistan: Pakistani President to Make First Official Visit to Kabul
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to make his first official trip to Afghanistan on January 6.