In former Soviet Central Asia there is little debate that the root problem [of extremist beliefs] is “foreign ideas,” defined so broadly as to become a target of opportunity for both every political purpose and every local policeman or official’s ambition. Any sign of dissent from state policies or ideology can be enough to bring the wrath of the state, sometimes with great violence.

• March 25, 2013

Cyprus clinched a last-minute solution to avert imminent financial meltdown early Monday after it agreed to slash its oversized banking sector and inflict hefty losses on wealthy depositors in troubled banks to secure a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) bailout.

• March 25, 2013

Gazprom has confirmed its interest in buying a combined cycle generation plants in Europe despite competition from cheap coal.

• March 25, 2013

Russia's state-controlled Rosneft has announced it has finalized deals to gain control of TNK-BP and become the world's largest publicly traded oil producer.

• March 22, 2013

President Nikos Anastasiades has announced an agreement between political parties in Cyprus to establish an "investment solidarity fund" as part of a new bailout plan.

• March 21, 2013

Ukraine intends to obtain observer status in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, the country's premier has announced.

• March 19, 2013

In all the noise of tomorrow’s Budget, many may not spot a small tweak to the fiscal regime for UK oil and gas. Those of us with a close interest in unconventional oil and gas, however, will be watching closely. Last year the Chancellor announced a consultation on a specific tax regime for onshore shale gas development, the results of which are expected on Wednesday.

• March 19, 2013

Kazakhstan could divert its natural gas supplies from the largest deposit in Karachaganak to China if it fails to sign a contract with Russia.

• March 18, 2013