Energy-rich but democracy-poor former Soviet republics are wielding newfound clout in ways that pose difficult new challenges to the European Union and the wider community of democratic states. Drawing on massive energy windfalls, these post-Soviet petrostates -- first and foremost Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia -- are becoming increasingly repressive at home.

Joerg Himmelreich, of the German Marshall Fund in Berlin, spoke to RFE/RL correspondent Jeremy Bransten on the possible impact of Kosovo's future status on the so-called frozen conflicts of the former Soviet Union. Himmelreich is an expert on Russia, the Caucasus, and the Black Sea region.

Systematic efforts to control media in countries of the former Soviet Union have intensified in 2006 indicating further erosion of civil liberties. That's the conclusion of the new "Freedom In The World" report by Freedom House, a U.S.-based organization that promotes democracy.

The commonwealth "For Democracy and Human Rights" unifying Transdnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia issued a joint position that reached the UN.

The RA parliament has approved President Robert Kocharian's proposal on advisability of suspending agreement "On the Status of the CIS Economic Court" as regards Armenia. According Justice Minister Davit Harutyunian the examination of the role of CIS EC shows that the structure does not play significant role in the economic life of the CIS member states and resolution of economic disputes.

For Russia, Saparmurat Niyazov's death means, on the one hand, the pleasing prospect of a less isolated Turkmenistan. On the other, there is the very real possibility that Ashgabat's gas supplies to Russia will dry up as the Central Asian nation navigates a new course.

With official acceptance into the World Trade Organization clearly in sight, Russia is anticipating the benefits of membership.