Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan: A Customs Deal and a Way Forward for Moscow

Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will enter into a common customs union Jan. 1, 2010, making economic integration between the three countries — already strong — even greater. The official details of the union are not finalized and will be solidified in multiple phases over the next year, but it already is clear the move is designed to increase the Kremlin's control of its near abroad and re-establish its Soviet-era influence.