Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from February, 2007
Armenia: Election Monitor
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor rounds up the latest parliamentary election news.
Turkmenistan: Post-Turkmenbashi Roundtable
Ian Chesley reports on a Harvard roundtable on Turkmenistan after the death of Turkmenbashi.
Uzbekistan: Perils of Assisting Homosexuals
Registan.net covers the latest crackdown on foreign health NGOs in Uzbekistan, which includes action against an organization running an HIV/AIDS prevention program for not just paperwork problems but also because it works with homosexuals. Male homosexuality is a crime in Uzbekistan punishable by three years in prison.
Armenia: Self-immolation
In Armenia yesterday, a man died after setting himself on fire in the capital's Republic Square. It is not known exactly why the man set himself alight, but he reportedly was angry at government officials and over unspecified injustices. The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor reports on the incident and rounds...
Armenia: Protesting the Land Grab
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor reports on a protest against Armenia's president that took place today outside of the presidential palace. The protesters are former residents of homes that the government evicted them from and for which the government paid less than market value.
Turkmenistan: What If There Was Internet?
neweurasia posts a comment from a reader who was discussing whether or not access to the internet is important for people in Turkmenistan. The commenter points out there are plenty of more serious problems to worry about.
Afghanistan: Heroes and Warlords
Afghanistanica, a new blog covering Afghanistan, looks at the role of public relations strategies in Ahmed Shah Masood being remembered as a hero and Rashid Dostum being considered a warlord. The difference, the blogger argues, is that the latter let his enemies define him, while the former used savvy spokesmen...
Uzbekistan: Plight of the Merchants
Registan.net discusses the plight of Uzbekistan's merchants. Despite recent changes that should make trade easier and more profitable, cross-border traders still face numerous difficulties as a result of police harassment and high taxes.
Tajikistan: Food for the Neigbhors
Elizabeth posts on the Tajik tradition of bringing a plate of food to one's neighbors whenever a large meal is made. The only catch is that one cannot return the plate empty.
Tajikistan: Islam & Identity
Lola discusses what being Muslim means to Tajik identity and what cultural and religious practices make one sufficiently Muslim without being considered what many in Tajikistan consider a “fanatic.”
Kazakhstan: Afghanistan Veteran
neweurasia posts a fascinatin interview with a veteran of the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan: Heretical Borscht
At News from the Caravan, Nyura posts her recipe for “cheerfully heretical borscht.”
Kyrgyzstan: Paying for Grades
Tolkun Umaraliev explains the situations in which Kyrgyz students pay bribes to receive good grades. He says that it is horrible to think about what this widespread practice means for the future of Kyrgyzstan.
Armenia: Parliamentary Election Monitor
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Blog surveys the latest news about the upcoming Armenian parliamentary election and urges Armenian readers to get involved by serving as election observers.
Kazakhstan, the Soviet: “Stalinkas” and “Khrushchevkas”, Afghanistan and the Red Army Holiday
Save the Houses Photo by Adam Kesher Blogger Adam Kesher is displeased: the “Stalin's” house next to his own is going to be replaced by a new fancy building. These houses, built before the Second World War (1935-1938) or after (till 1955) are notable for their scale, high ceilings so...
Uzbekistan: Mathematical Expression
Claire Wilkinson discusses a report showing that medieval Islamic art shows an understanding of complex geometry that did not find mathematical expression until fairly recently. The researcher first became interested in the subject while visiting Islamic structures in Uzbekistan.
Turkmenistan: Flurry of Activity
neweurasia reports on the flurry of personnel shuffling, diplomatic calls, and presidential edicts since Turkmenistan elected its new president, who, the post says, must shake things up in order to survive.
Kazakhstan: Environmental Buyout
Ben Paarmann says that ChevronTexaco has long had problems with accumulating sulfur deposits at its Tengiz oil field in Kazakhstan. So why is the government suddenly threatening to punish the company for environmental damage? Ben suggests that Kazakhstan's government may be trying to get more control over the project.
Armenia: Dual Citizenship
At Life in Armenia, Raffi K. notes that dual citizenship is closer to becoming a reality and hopes that sticking points holding it up can be sorted out soon.
Turkmenistan: Turkic Reunion?
At neweurasia Peter reports on how relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan are changing in the wake of the death of the country's former President Saparmurad Niazov.
Former Soviet Union: Syllabus on Deported Peoples
J. Otto Pohl's “imaginary” syllabus #4: “Deported Nationalities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.”
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