EURASIANET PHOTOJOURNALIST DIGEST

Conflict in Georgia: Gori and Tskhinvali

In this photo slideshow, photographer Jonathan Alpeyrie looks at how the Russian-Georgian conflict affected the cities of Gori, on the Georgia-proper side, and Tskhinvali, on the South Ossetian side.

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Kyrgyzstan: Local Elections Overshadowed by Election Commission Controversy
Local municipalities held town council elections across Kyrgyzstan October 5 with over 60 percent of the country’s 2.5 million registered voters casting ballots. So far intrigue, not results, is the talk of Bishkek.

Russia: Gazprom’s South Stream Pipeline Plans Face Delay
The Kremlin-controlled energy conglomerate Gazprom is pushing back the start date of the South Stream pipeline by at least two years, according to a report published by the Russian business paper Vedomosti.

Azerbaijan: A Tale of Two Entrepreneurial Environments
BY ROVSHAN ISMAYILOV
This is a tale of two seemingly different countries that is actually one -- Azerbaijan. One recently released report, prepared by a leading international financial institution, pronounces Azerbaijan to be one of the world’s most business-friendly nations. Another report, prepared by a leading corruption watchdog group, asserts that graft is deeply entrenched in Azerbaijan and growing worse. The sharply different depiction of business conditions in Azerbaijan is stoking debate in Baku.

Kazakhstan: Astana Remains Upbeat on Export Aims, Despite Disappointing Harvest
BY JOANNA LILLIS
Kazakhstan, the breadbasket of Central Asia, is recording 2008 grain harvest yields that are considerably lower than last year’s figure. The government, however, is confident that after satisfying domestic needs, the state will still be able to export a large volume of wheat.

Iran: Willing to Consider a Nuclear Bargain?
BY KAMAL NAZER YASIN
Given the security concerns surrounding existing pipeline routes connecting the Caspian Basin and Turkey, Iran is trying to fashion itself as a viable energy export alternative. The desire for an energy opening to the West is sufficiently strong that at least some political factions in Tehran seem willing to explore a deal with the United States and European Union
concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

Latvian President Begins Central Asian Tour to Bolster EU Ties
Latvian President Valdis Zatlers began an eight-day visit to Central Asia on October 2, aiming to strengthen political and economic ties between the region and the European Union.