It seemed that the development of club stand-up in Armenia was postponed indefinitely. In post-war Armenia, no one was in the mood to laugh. However, after the war, about six months later, the stand-up returned.

The need to ensure women are given the tools to fulfil their potential is not just the key to a healthy society, Kozinchenko argues, but to economic success. While most Western countries, however imperfectly, offer women some chance to balance career and family life, it is an area in which emerging economies fall far behind.

Continuing border skirmishes and incidents have hampered efforts to officially demarcate the border between the countries. Concern is growing about the stability of the late 2020 Moscow-negotiated armistice.

The reality is none of the three countries are formal candidates for EU membership in the near future.

Kazakhstan’s focus on improving investor dispute resolution and prevention mechanisms has been an essential element of this success. A great deal has been done in recent years. Many countries around the world, especially those that have passed through similar transitions from other non-capitalist economic systems in their recent history, can draw useful lessons from Kazakhstan’s experience.

Recent street violence has dealt another blow to its image. Longtime allies in the EU are dismayed and the USA is considering sanctions against those promoting violence against perceived foes

President Sandu says her resounding victory in the parliamentary vote means an end to the "rule of bandits"