Category: Country Reports
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October 2022
Overview. Kazakhstan is preparing for early presidential elections on 20th November this year. The maximum number of presidential terms will reduce from two to one and the presidential term will increase from five to seven years. The ballot papers will have an option "against all". Russians (mainly men) flee to Kazakhstan.…… Read the rest
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October 2022
This month has been notable for its calm post-election. Although a divisive outcome, even those who strongly supported Odinga have agreed that the country needed to move forward together to solve the many issues facing the country after the pandemic, the drought, the reverberations from the war in Ukraine, and inflationary pressures.…… Read the rest
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October 2022
Overview. Internet and phone services were cut by the government in an effort to contain violent national protests that left dozens dead. The trigger was the death of a young woman following a period of police custody after an arrest for not wearing her headscarf correctly. This latest period of unrest chips away further at…
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September 2022
Overview. The main opposition party, BNP, has alleged that the ongoing load shedding in Bangladesh is a result of the ruling party’s theft and corrupt practices. Central bank data shows that various banks are profiteering through overcharging when selling dollars, with the overall profit from this standing at around USD 150 million.…… Read the rest
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September 2022
Pakistan is suffering. Adding to its economic, security and political woes, devastating floods hit almost all parts of the country, affecting more than 30 million people. The government declared a national emergency and deployed the army to conduct rescue operations and establish relief camps. Internal Politics. After winning the Punjab Province bi-elections last month, the…
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September 2022
Overview. Kazakh use of the crucial CPC pipeline continues to be intermittent, fully drawing the focus of the RoK government. Over the month, and intrinsically linked with the overview above, the RoK’s President received Chevron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Wirth, met with and held talks with the President of Russia.…… Read the rest
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September 2022
This month has been notable for a very divisive election which has left Kenya, as with many other nations across the globe, polarised between the Ruto camp and the Odinga camp. Ruto won by the smallest of margins with just over 50% of the votes. Odinga is seeking a re-count through the Supreme Court.…… Read…
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September 2022
Overview. The EU presented the US and Iranian sides with Josep Borrell’s final proposal for a renewed JCPOA. Both sides have submitted comments and we await next steps. It seems likely that we’re not there yet. JCPOA. Iran received a US response to the EU-proposed ‘final’ text on 24th August following Iran submitting initial comments…
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September 2022
Overview. Like many countries right now, Egypt’s financial position is not a strong one. It desperately needs a bail out from the IMF to keep afloat. It also needs to save money while earning more. It appears a way to achieve that and generate some good publicity has been found making it even better.…… Read…
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August 2022
Overview. The politicking grew to new levels of shame as opposing candidates entered slagging matches against opponents and even, it is suspected, funded disruptive measures to intimidate opponents. While the populace are suffering from the real economic challenges brought on by debt, drought, inflation and lack of resources, by contrast the banks and the breweries…