Stories written by Kester Kenn Klomegah
Kester Kenn Klomegah is the IPS Moscow correspondent. He covers politics, human rights issues, foreign policy and ethnic minority problems. His research interests include Russian area studies and Russian culture. Kester has worked for several years with the Moscow Times. He has studied social philosophy and religion and spent a year at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He is co-author of ‘AIDS/HIV and Men: Taking Risk or Taking Responsibility’ published by the London-based Panos Institute. In 2004, he was awarded the Golden Word Prize for excellence in journalism by the Russian Media Union, a non-governmental media organisation in Moscow.

RUSSIA: The Bear Begins to Punch Again

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Through a difficult 18 years since the end of Soviet political dictatorship, Russia has steadily made its way back on to the global stage.

RUSSIA: Gas Dispute Raises Political Heat

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Disputes over gas supply from Russia to Europe have again taken on a political dimension.

BELARUS: Still Out in the Cold

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has failed to win the support of European Union (EU) member states and the United States following elections last month, that international observers found largely incompatible with democratic standards.
Alexander Milinkevich Credit:

Q&A: 'Little Hope of Fair Election'

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich fears signs that the elections due in Belarus this Sunday will not be free and fair. President Alexander Lukashenko's government continues to stifle the media, he says.

RIGHTS-SIBERIA: Young Ready to Change Mind On Death Penalty

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Young people in Siberia, the vast Russian region once notorious for its Soviet penal colonies, have shown readiness to give up their support for the death penalty as soon as they are exposed to views of opponents to capital punishment.

GEORGIA: ‘Provoked Into Aggression’

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvilli has become an uncertain sort of leader. At first, he won praise after successfully leading the popular 'Rose Revolution' in 2003 that catapulted him into power. Now he has received global condemnation for the military attack that he ordered in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia.

RUSSIA: Plan Putina Faces Pitfalls

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Now as Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin has started to pursue vigorously his own long-term strategic development plan that was used to garner votes during the last presidential elections.

AFRICA: Russia Behind China and Brazil in Building Relations

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
The Soviet-era connections between Russia and some African states have collapsed into low levels of economic engagement between the former partners, with the arms trade remaining the exception.

ECONOMY-AFRICA: Russian Tourist Market Ripe For the Picking

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
The number of Russian tourists visiting African destinations is steadily increasing due to rising incomes and the desire to have uncommon wildlife experiences, according to travel agencies.

RUSSIA: Tight Curbs Placed on Foreign Labour

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Russia is not increasing grant of work permits despite a growing demand for foreign labour.

RUSSIA: Chasing China in Africa

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
A 500 million-dollar development assistance package to Africa marks a new move by Russia to catch up with Chinese expansion into Africa.

UZBEKISTAN: 'Torture on the Rise'

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Use of torture has increased sharply in Uzbekistan following the last election of President Islam Karimov, a rights group says.

DEATH PENALTY-BELARUS: Officials Hint Moratorium a Step Away

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Belarus - the last country in Europe to apply the death penalty - will eventually abolish capital punishment by presidential decree or parliamentary vote, rather than by calling on the people to decide the issue in a referendum.

RUSSIA: Youth Get a Push Towards Nationalism

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
A new plan has been set up to promote nationalism among Russian youth.

TRADE-RUSSIA: Ethiopia Seeks Preferential Treatment for Coffee

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
After several months of trade negotiations in the joint Russian-Ethiopian economic commission, Russia is considering allowing Ethiopia to bring in its different brands of aromatic coffees on a preferential basis.

RUSSIA: Non-Presidential Putin Prepares for New Power

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
In his last days as President, Vladimir Putin has prepared to bring federal representatives under control of the cabinet in an effort to influence policy after he takes over as Prime Minister.

RUSSIA: Where Migration Means Trafficking

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
New efforts have been launched to curb human trafficking across Russia and the ex-Soviet republics.

RUSSIA: Nuclear Deal with Egypt Signed

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
After years of diplomatic negotiations, Russia and Egypt finally signed an agreement Tuesday that paves the way for cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy sector.

RUSSIA: Not Seeing Eye-to-Eye with US on Missiles

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defence Robert Gates have held meetings in Moscow that some foreign policy and military experts say are unlikely to produce significant results.

RUSSIA: In a Quick New Embrace with Germany

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
In his first week as president-elect, Dmitry Medvedev has sought to build new bridges with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The reinforced relations rest on the pillar of a major energy deal.

RUSSIA: New Focus on Neighbourhood

By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Foreign policy experts have raised concerns about Russia's relations with its neighbours after the presidential election that gave first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev a landslide victory.
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