Vladimir Rozanskij

The state is establishing specialised research institutes, funding research and restoring monuments from the era of the Ulus Džoči – the Tatar-Mongol period of its history, which was marginalised by former Soviet historiography. Meanwhile, neighbouring Uzbekistan has for decades been constructing a national historical narrative centred on Tamerlane.

Despite much wrangling over borders or cultural heritage in the face of tragedy, the people of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia and North Ossetia are coming together to search for the missing or raise funds for the victims of natural disasters. Because their shared history prevails over old grudges.

Since coming to power, there has been a shift in relations between Kabul and the countries of the region. The commercial pragmatism of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and the greater caution shown by Tajikistan. The (future) crux of the issue: the Koshtepa Canal and the disputed use of the waters of the Amu Darya River.

On the anniversary of the 2008 Five-Day War, Russia has renewed its offer of “mediation” regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The parties have limited political channels, but trade and transport links are fully operational. The leadership of the Georgian Dream party is aiming to rebuild bridges.

The Russian government has approved a quota of 279,000 permits for foreign workers for 2026. Last year, more than 90,000 highly skilled immigrants were employed. Asia is the main source of skilled workers in Russia; however, very few wish to settle in the country.

In addition to Russia, Armenia’s prime minister is looking to China and India to boost the country’s development. New Delhi plays an important role in military-industrial and security matters. China is looking for Armenian raw materials. In the background, ties with the European Union (along with the United States) remain the primary political objective.

Russian news agencies ignored the C-6 summit in Kyrgyzstan, which showed participants’ willingness to protect their economic interests from Western sanctions and ensure the functioning of the Middle Corridor. Meanwhile, the dynastic nature of power is being legitimised.

The start of operations at Demirli, an open-pit mine under Azerbaijani control since the 2020 war against Armenia, has turned copper into one of the country's main non-oil exports, aided by the growing global demand for metals associated with the energy transition.

The Moscow Duma is openly discussing the possibility of relocating 200,000–300,000 citizens living in the ‘liberated’ territories of the Donbass – which are now uninhabitable – to the Far East or Siberia. This is in keeping with the Russian-Soviet system, which throughout its history has displaced vast numbers of people to suit its own needs.

In the 2026 Global Soft Power Index, the country – which until a few years ago was confined to the stereotypes of the ‘post-Soviet space’ – has risen to 82nd place out of 193 countries. From pop stars who, breaking free from folkloric clichés, are crossing borders, to the Lonely Planet guide which has included Kazakhstan in its ‘Best in Travel 2025’ selection.

“Why isolate ourselves from Western culture? I don’t understand it: Russia is part of a wider civilisation.” A statement by Elizaveta Likhačeva, former director of the Pushkin Museum, has sparked a patriotic outcry in Moscow led by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

In recent years, the local authorities have stepped up their efforts to integrate this ethnic group, which numbers around 1,200 families: now that they have been issued with identity documents, the children are attending school and many members of the community are working for the city’s cleaning and gardening companies.