How Unrest in Moldova Is Different This Time

Social unrest in Moldova is not new, but this time it could portend serious destabilization for the small, strategically located country -- which could have serious implications for the Russia-West standoff. An estimated 10,000-12,000 protesters gathered Oct. 4 to begin the fifth straight week of protests against the Moldovan government and to call for early elections. Social dissent and political paralysis have been the norm in the country for the past five years, and a collapse of the Moldovan government as a result of the demonstrations would not be unprecedented. However, this time around the demonstrations have lasted longer and have been noticeably more uncompromising, which could foretell more serious unrest to come. Such agitations could benefit Russia by limiting Moldova's chances for EU integration, but even so Russia will have a hard time bringing the country into its fold....