The biggest problems facing elected officials in Iran are economic ones, particularly double-digit unemployment and inflation. These factors dogged President Mohammad Khatami during his term in office (1997-2005), and the reformists' focus on civil-society development resounded poorly with people who often could not afford meat with their meals.
Turkmenistan is once again proving to be the wild card of Central Asia's energy game. In early 2006, Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov expressed readiness to significantly strengthen his country's energy ties to Russia.
For just about a decade after construction plans were unveiled, detractors continued to refer to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan export route mockingly as "the pipeline to nowhere."
For just about a decade after construction plans were unveiled, detractors continued to refer to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan export route mockingly as "the pipeline to nowhere."
Touted as the biggest official event in Turkey's history, the July 13 launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline marks the long-awaited completion of a project that is as much about geopolitics as energy. But amid the celebrations, questions persist about pipeline security.
Delays surrounding legislation that would enable Turkey to enter the interest-free bond market underscore the wariness of many Turks toward Muslim banking practices.
In the wake of the "gas war" between Russia and Ukraine in early 2006, and the brief interruption it caused in supplies to Europe, the world awoke to the increasing importance of Central Asian natural gas for European energy security. After all, the bulk of the natural gas that Ukraine imports through Russia comes from Turkmenistan.
A recent economic conference held in the Georgian capital Tbilisi sought to lay the groundwork for closer regional cooperation among the three South Caucaus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Kazakhstan has finally committed to shipping oil via the US-backed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. Although hailed as "a significant historical event" by some officials, the initial level of Kazakhstan's involvement will be modest. Meanwhile, Iran surprised regional observers by revealing a desire to ship oil via BTC.
