Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays too. This Regional Briefing focuses on Central Asia & the Caucasus, courtesy of Nathan Hamm of The Argus. Nathan served in Peace Corps Uzbekistan from 2000-2001.

TOP TOPICS

• Uzbek authorities are in a tight spot over planned trade regulations. As mentioned last month, merchants in Kokand rioted when local authorities tried to implement the new rules, which would require bank accounts, cash registers, and much more. Diplomats warn that anger in the markets could spread. Both sides have good cases. On the one hand, merchants understand that many of them would lose their livelihood and have little to lose by taking to the streets. On the other hand, the new law may be designed to satisfy foreign lenders by eliminating the country's vast gray market.

• While the world's eyes were focused on the protests in Ukraine, Russia poured pressure on Georgia's separatist region of Abkhazia over its own election crisis. The opposition candidate, Sergei Bagapsh, won over 50% of the vote, allowing him to take office without a second round vote. Moscow demurred, and threatened harsh sanctions that would essentially shut down the Abkhaz economy unless a second round took place. Resolution was finally reached when Bagapsh agreed to a second round in which he will run as the head of a ticket with Raul Khajimba, the Russia-preferred candidate.

Other Topics Include: Responding to Russia in Eurasia; Learning From Uzbek Elections; Ukrainian Protests Electrify Regional Dissidents; A Survivor's Guide to Uzbek Prisons; Uzbek & Kyrgyz Elections on the Horizon; AIDS in Central Asia; A Year of Roses; Boosting Georgian Defense; Azerbaijan Moves West?; "Let Them Grow Poppies;" An Ancient Festival Returns to Afghanistan; The Dalai Lama Visits the Kalmyks; and, much more...

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