We rarely look at the process and pace of change itself, but more at its manifestations. The way in which the technical ability to convey information, since the invention of writing, has changed is a good example of a “geometrical or exponential curve” in which the accumulating body of ideas promotes ever more change at a faster and faster speeds.

Randall Baker

Analytics, Politics, Society

Armenia Online: Activism or slacktivism?

The development of the internet in Armenia has been frustrated by the problematic privatization of the ArmenTel monopoly in the late 1990s. Closed borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have exacerbated the problem, making connection speeds the slowest and most expensive in the region, though how this has actually affected internet penetration remains unclear.

Onnik Krikorian

Politics, Society

Georgian Media and Georgian Facebook

The article covers Georgia’s media problems and the challenges it faces in the establishment of civil society. The author sets out the context of the 2003 Rose Revolution, when Georgian society rose in rebellion, refusing to forgive the ruling power for the errors made during the parliamentary elections.

Zviad Koridze

Politics, Society

Social Media in Turkey: Walking the line between opportunity and danger

Turkey, the Western Gateway to the Caucasus, is currently deeply involved in discussions of social media issues. Older Turks anxiously follow the online activity of the average Turkish youth, who spends 7.8 hours per day online.

Ismail Hakkı Polat

Politics, Society

Colloquy with Ayman Mohyeldin: Covering Egypt’s revolution and Al-Jazeera’s success

The entire world fixed its gaze on the 31 year old reporter who was experiencing a historic journey with the Egyptians who flocked into Cairo’s Tahrir Square earlier this year, to demand the ousting of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled the Arab country with an iron fist for three decades. Mohyeldin was a student in the US in the summer of 2000, when the Middle East was burning amid the second Palestinian intifada. He went to a barbecue party with one of his friends, where he met an NBC producer. They discussed a wide range of issues, including Palestine. The producer told Ayman that he had some very interesting insights, and whether he had ever thought of going into journalism. Ayman’s response was negative.

Ayman Mohyeldin

Global Foresight, Analytics, Security

'CI People'

Gulshan Pashayeva

Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic Studies, a Baku-based think-tank

Brenda Shaffer

Dr. Brenda Shaffer is a specialist on the Caucasus, Caspian energy, Israel’s natural newly discovered natural gas resources, and the role of energy in foreign policy.

Vladimer Papava

Dr Vladimer Papava is a Senior Fellow at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, a Principal Research Fellow at the Paata Gugushvili Institute of Economics

Seán Farren

Seán Farren is the member of Social Democratic and Labour Party of Northern Ireland

Anar Valiyev

Dr. Anar Valiyev is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy

Fyodor Lukyanov

Fyodor Lukyanov is Editor-in-Chief of the “Russia in Global Affairs” journal published in Russian and English with participation of Foreign Affairs.

Reshad Karimov

Reshad Karimov is a research fellow at the Center for Strategic Studies in Baku, Azerbaijan

Eugene Chausovsky

Eugene Chausovksy is the Eurasia Analyst at STRATFOR

Autorisation

'CI People'

Editor's Note