Week In Review: A Bygone Year

Orda has put together a brief synopsis of last week's news.

A Non-existent Meeting?

Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon claimed that December 30 was to mark a "historic meeting."

He asserted that it would end the hot phase of the war between Ukraine and Russia." Gordon based his conclusion on a flight headed toward the US.

However, The Kremlin quickly dismissed it, while the Foreign Ministry stated the plane was rotating out diplomats.

The monumental date did not materialize, but Biden did announce $5.9 billion in military and budget aid to Ukraine during his final days as President. Concerns about finances have arisen due to Trump and fellow Republicans' views on whether financing should continue in the same capacity.

For its part, Russia has demonstrated little interest in the Trump team's reported plans to end the war, reinforcing the theory that Russia is in it for the long haul.

On the other hand, Zelenskyy expressed confidence in Trump's abilities to influence Putin, though this may be flattery, considering the US President's unpredictability. 

Cut Off 

Transnistria, a breakaway territory internationally recognized as Moldovan, is now facing an energy crisis, leaving its industrial sector at a standstill. 

As the situation worsened, Moldova extended a helping hand but only to face rejection.

Had Transnistria accepted, the unrecognized nation could have purchased gas via European platforms, albeit at a higher price.

Transnistrian authorities believe Gazprom will resume supplies, unlike their Moldovan counterparts, who promptly secured alternative supplies. 

Considering Moldova's recent elections that ushered in a pro-EU President, Moscow's past weaponization of energy supplies, and prices in Moldova poised to rise, Russia could be seeking to destabilize the situation. 

Yet, Gazprom has named Moldova's debts the culprit despite an international audit confirming the amount being much lower.

The TurkStream pipeline remains an option for supplies, but with parliament elections scheduled for Autumn, there seem to be attempts to spur a change of seats.

Syria Rising

Syria's current leadership received further international recognition, this time from Europe.

German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot visited Damascus, becoming the first top European officials to meet with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The German Foreign Affairs Minister urged Russia to leave its bases in Syria.

Incidentally, Ukrainian intelligence claimed Russia was preparing to transport military assets from Syria to Libya, though no verifications immediately followed.

The bases' status is indeed up in the air, and there have been previous reports of Russia's military presence being drawn down.

Russian authorities are likely erring on the side of caution to safeguard military assets.

Baerbock's statement could embolden the Syrian people to make similar calls to their government.

In parallel, Türkiye's involvement has expanded past legalities and formalities, namely security. Europe and the Gulf nations could chime in with funding as well, providing the Syrian nation with the momentum to make decisions on its own terms.

The Gulf nations have also previously reached out, alluding to their acceptance of the new realities in Syria.

The US lifting humanitarian aid restrictions solidifies that the US is tiptoeing in the same direction, though Trump could do a 180, and sanctions have yet to be lifted.

Nonetheless, Damascus looks to be in a position to exert pressure to ease restrictions and call the shots as the world seemingly continues to acknowledge the current government, albeit cautiously.

Tajikistan Reaches out?

Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon also held crucial talks.

Rahmon met with Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik, Pakistan's ISI Director General, on December 30.

Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly regarding regional security challenges.

Both sides emphasized their commitment to addressing terrorism, extremism, radicalism, drug trafficking, and transnational crime through continued agency cooperation.

More notably, their talks follow rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the most recent escalation being Pakistan's airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan. 

Although Afghan officials have claimed improving relations with Dushanbe, Rahmon may be seeking guidance from the Pakistani intelligence.

Season's Greetings

Putin extended New Year greetings to both Toqayev and Nazarbayev, while Uzbekistan's President Mirziyoyev sent one to Nazarbayev and is mentioned as making the same gesture for Toqayev.

These messages came in the wake of Nazarbayev's recent meeting with Putin.

Moreover, the former President also visited Uzbekistan in September 2024.

While these communications might suggest Nazarbayev retaining some influence, some argue that the meetings are merely between old colleagues.

At the same time, President Toqayev addressed his relationship with Nazarbayev in a recent Ana Tili interview, discussing the political transition that followed the first President's resignation.

Although Toqayev acknowledged maintaining contact with Nazarbayev, his candid discussion has closed the book on Kazakhstan's "dual power" discussions, an opinion echoed by local experts.

Majilis deputy Yemerat Bapi's warnings about a potential second "Kazakh Gate" for Nazarbayev are worth highlighting in this context as well.

If they hold true, then perhaps such "meetings" are more than just old colleagues rubbing shoulders, especially considering Moscow's housing of other former leaders.

Corruption Be Gone

Kamchybek Tashiev announced during a January 2 Facebook livestream that corrupt officials will now face prison time instead of fines. The new law, effective January 1, also includes lifetime bans on public service for convicted officials and their relatives.

We've eliminated organized crime, and now we'll end corruption, Tashiev declared, predicting corruption's elimination by 2026.

Before these bold claims, respected human rights activist Aziza Abdirasulova fled the country, citing threats to her safety.

After various provocative calls and threats, I had to leave. I suffered two strokes and am not ready to sit in prison, Abdirasulova told Azattyk.

She once served as President Sadyr Japarov's public defender in 2013.

Ironically, her departure follows recent criticism from Japarov voiced at the People's Kurultai.

He targeted the organization Kylym Shamy, founded by her. His rebuke extended to supporting NGOs and media, which, in his opinion, seek negativity and spread false information.

These two instances may not be directly intertwined.

However, they highlight shortcomings in Bishkek's governance approach as officials trumpet anti-corruption reforms amid continued targeting of civil society.