Nikola Mikovic
Nikola Mikovic is a political analyst in Serbia. His work focuses mostly on the foreign policies of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, with special attention on energy and “pipeline politics.”
Articles By
Russia Returns to the Graveyard of Empires By Nikola Mikovic - Mar 17, 2023
Even as Russia struggles to achieve military and political success in Ukraine, its leaders have turned their attention to another regional objective: restarting business in the “graveyard of empires.” Six months ago, Moscow inked a deal with the Taliban to supply gasoline, oil, and wheat to Afghanistan. Some of those commodities are now arriving by road and rail from Central Asia, providing Afghans … Continue reading “Russia Returns to the Graveyard of Empires”
Russia's Red Sea Plans Face Rough Waters By Nikola Mikovic - Feb 24, 2023
The war in Ukraine has laid bare Russia’s military weaknesses, and a key area of concern for the Kremlin is the health of its navy. With the Russian Black Sea Fleet an easy target for Ukrainian anti-ship missiles, Moscow is eyeing alternatives, including a long-planned naval base in Sudan. Whether Russia has the money, or the means, to get … Continue reading “Russia's Red Sea Plans Face Rough Waters”
Turkey Spreads Influence Inside Russia’s Borders By Nikola Mikovic - Feb 9, 2023
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, Turkey is making geopolitical inroads in places long dominated by Russia, such as Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Increasingly, though, Turkey is zeroing in on regions where Moscow should have firm control: inside the Russian Federation itself. It’s no secret that some political forces in Turkey view certain Russian territories as part of the “Turkic World.” In February … Continue reading “Turkey Spreads Influence Inside Russia’s Borders”
A Russia-Iran Trade Corridor to Nowhere By Nikola Mikovic - Jan 20, 2023
While Russia and Iran don’t always concur, their status as pariahs of the West has pushed them to work as an “axis of the sanctioned.” One way this has materialized is through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-kilometer network of road, rail, and shipping routes designed to move freight between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. Conceived in 2000 but never … Continue reading “A Russia-Iran Trade Corridor to Nowhere”
Turkey’s Pipeline Politics in Central Asia By Nikola Mikovic - Jan 5, 2023
Central Asia and the South Caucasus have long been within Russia’s geopolitical orbit. But as the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine stumbles on, Turkey is looking to take advantage by increasing its influence in the strategically important regions. It’s no secret Ankara views Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan as countries that belong to the Turkic … Continue reading “Turkey’s Pipeline Politics in Central Asia”