It is an open secret that four former Soviet republics – Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Ukraine – are one of those countries that suffered from the economic crisis most. The inflation rate in those countries continues to grow because of huge debts, although the rate in many other countries begins to decrease. The crisis-struck states experience the phenomenon of stagflation because of the low GDP – this phenomenon is well-known to many Americans owing to the crisis of the 1970s

20.11.2009
The White House has to admit that the US and NATO are deeply bogged down in the Afghan swamp. Washington and European capitals are frantically looking for ways out but do not see an alternative to military presence. Currently, 63,000 US soldiers are stationed in Afghanistan, and this number may grow to 100,000 in the beginning of the next year if the conflict in the White House is resolved in favor of General Stanley McChrystal

19.11.2009
China has launched the serial production of J-10, J-11 and FC-1 fighter jets, which are rip-offs of Russia’s Su-27/30 and MiG-29 aircraft. The nation intends to build and sell not less than 1,200 planes at the prices which will be much lower than those of the Russian planes. Beijing plans to challenge Russia on its traditional defense industry markets and become the maker of inexpensive and efficient air materiel. Malaysian military officials have already expressed their readiness to cooperate with China at this point

18.11.2009
The achievements of the three Baltic countries with respect to EU and NATO membership make the pro-Western governments of Ukraine and Georgia regard them as role models, both in politics and economics. In many ways Victor Yushchenko’s and Mikhail Saakashvili’s desire to follow the Baltic states is caused by the fact that these states are the strongest in Europe supporters of both internal and external policy of the Ukrainian and Georgian governments