Georgia: Washington and Tbilisi Sign Strategic Pact Sure to Irk the Kremlin
BY MOLLY CORSO
The United States and Georgia officially became "strategic partners" under a charter signed by the two governments on January 9. While Georgian officials are hailing the document as a guarantee of Washington’s support for Tbilisi, analysts are divided on what kind of impact the agreement will actually have. Many believe the only certainty is that the pact will rile Russia.

Turkey: Government Launches Kurdish TV Channel
BY NICHOLAS BIRCH
Late December was an especially hectic time for Nilufer Akbal. A leading Kurdish singer in a country that denied Kurds existed until 1991, she had agreed to appear on Turkey’s brand-new state-run Kurdish television channel to host her first weekly music show.

Tajikistan: Energy Price Hikes Leave Many Fearing Cold
BY DAVID TRILLING
Sharply higher energy prices in Tajikistan are sending shivers down the spines of Tajiks across the country. Although the capital is enjoying almost uninterrupted supplies of electricity, extended blackouts continue in villages. Concern is widespread that energy supplies are not sufficient to last the winter.

Turkey: Israel’s Gaza Offensive Presents Ankara with Diplomatic Challenge
Israel’s attack in Gaza is proving to be both a test and an opportunity for Turkey’s continuing efforts to establish itself as a regional mediator in the Middle East, observers say.

Kyrgyzstan: National Bank Forecasts Rough Year for Kyrgyz
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan provided a grim assessment of what lies ahead for the Central Asian nation in 2009. Despite a government efforts to at least maintain the economic status quo, Kyrgyzstan will be vulnerable to food insecurity and deepening unemployment, the bank predicted in its forecast, titled Major Areas of Monetary Policy 2009-2011.

Kazakhstan: Uranium Production on the Rise
Kazakhstan registered a 28 percent year-on-year rise for uranium extraction in 2008, the government has reported.

Uzbekistan: Tashkent Extends Tender Periods for Foreign Investors
The Uzbek State Commission has extended the tender bid period for foreign investors interested in 27 large companies, enterprises and organizations.

Tajikistan: Less Land Allocated for Cotton Cultivation
Tajikistan aims to grow more food and grain in 2009 at the expense of cotton. Officials announced that they are setting aside 202,000 hectares for cotton planting in 2009, roughly 20 percent less land than was cultivated this year.

Turkmenistan: New Parliament Convenes
Turkmenistan’s new legislature convened on January 9. An official statement hailed the event as a step toward the "further development of democratic tendencies and a civic community."

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.

Kyrgyzstan: Official Announces Big Price Spike for Natural Gas
A top Kyrgyz energy executive announced January 9 a steep price hike for natural gas, sparking concern about rising public discontent this winter.

Turkmenistan: Is Ashgabat’s Interest in Nabucco Rising?
The head of Germany’s second largest electricity and gas company, RWE AG, hailed Turkmenistan’s "promising" market and expressed a readiness for "constructive interaction in the energy sphere" during a visit to Ashgabat, news agencies report. This visit is raising speculation about Turkmen intentions to participate in the long-planned trans-Caspian and Nabucco pipeline projects.

Tajikistan: Supreme Court Bans Ultra-Conservative Sunni Islamic Movement
Tajikistan’s Supreme Court has issued a ban on the Salafi religious movement, the Asia-Plus news agency reported January 8. The court ruling specifically prohibits the import and distribution of Salafi religious material.

Kyrgyzstan: Presidential Chief-of-Staff Submits Resignation
Kyrgyzstan is experiencing political turnover at the top. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s chief of staff, Medet Sadyrkulov, unexpectedly announced his resignation on January 8. The departing presidential aide claimed that his departure had been planned, but some political analysts in Bishkek suggest that Bakiyev may be reshuffling his team in response to the recent revival of opposition political protests.

Kazakhstan: Bureaucrats Told to Cut Back on Expenses
Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has issued instructions for Kazakhstani state agencies to scale back administrative expenses, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported January 8.

Uzbekistan: Tashkent Announces Export Deal with Oman
Uzbekistan is strengthening its ties with Arabian Peninsula states. The newest deal involves Oman, with Tashkent pledging to send wheat, fruits and vegetables to the Gulf state. One source in Oman also indicates that Uzbekistan may also provide migrant laborers.

Kazakhstan: Government Takes Action to Guard Against a Surge in Unemployment
Kazakhstan’s government has announced that it will undertake preventative measures to avert the possibility of a destabilizing spike in unemployment.

Caspian Basin: Russia-Ukraine Spat Likely to Spur Construction of Alternate Pipelines
BY SVETLA MARINOVA
The ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas exports is likely to end up spurring efforts to establish alternate, more reliable export routes to serve the European Union, experts and officials predict.

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.