Financial and political constraints will make it harder for many governments to maintain balance in the coming months.

The new government in Tbilisi may pose problems for Baku's foreign policy strategy.

Russia can still present itself as Europe's only reliable source of natural gas.

Azerbaijan's three powerful neighbors -- Iran, Turkey and Russia -- shape its geopolitical strategy and decisions.

Turkmenistan is reassessing its position in Central Asia and its relationship with Russia.

The Customs Union can gauge Moscow's success in spreading its influence in its former Soviet republics.

The EU crisis, China's political struggle and Syria

Recent military developments spurred Ashgabat to attend a regional air defense meeting after a nearly two-decade absence.

Kenyan authorities have arrested two Iranian suspects.

Certain areas of the Caucasus are strategically valuable and thus subject to frequent tensions.