Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from January, 2008
Georgia: Political Alternatives
TOL Georgia reports that while there are many things wrong in the country, the situation just can't be compared to that which it found itself in before the November 2003 “Rose Revolution.” However, the blog says, the upcoming parliamentary elections are of vital importance and not least in checking the...
Kazakhstan: A Shadow Billionaire Spotlighted by Forbes
Lena B-Va cites the newly released Forbes report on the billionaires “you’ve never heard of” – including a Kazakhstani citizen.
Kazakhstan: Mobile Video Festival
Zhanna Zhukova reports that the first festival of short films, shot by cameras installed in the cellphones, was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, January 26.
Turkmenistan: U.S. Active in Ashgabat
Maciula writes about increasing levels of American diplomatic activity in Turkmenistan and the prospects of building the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.
Kyrgyzstan: Human rights situation deteriorating
Asel writes that human rights activists are voicing concerns over the increased number of ungrounded arrests in Kyrgyztsan.
Kyrgyzstan: First MacCenter in Central Asia Opens
Akbalta informs readers that the first Apple's MacCentre in Central Asia is going to be opened in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, in February this year.
Afghanistan: Journalist in Danger
Nasim Fekratْ urges action on the death threats that are addressed to Basir Ahang, 27, an independent journalist who was directly involved in the release of Gabriele Torsello, the Italian journalist, who was kidnapped by Taliban in Helmand province.
Afghanistan: Reports Call for New Strategies
Barnett R. Rubin reports that several groups of the U.S. foreign policy establishment have released reports calling for major changes in strategy on Afghanistan.
Armenia: Early Release
Nazarian points his readers in the direction of a post in Russian alleging that the notorious son of Gyumri's Mayor has been released from prison in the weeks preceding the 19 February presidential election in Armenia. The blog also says that perhaps his release following a mass shootout in Armenia's...
Armenia: Pondering Scenarios
Unzipped says he believes one scenerio ahead of the 19 February presidential election is that Orinats Yerkir's Artur Baghdasarian will pull out of the race and support another opposition candidate instead. However, the blogger believes, the chances of an opposition victory would be possible only in a first round of...
Georgia: Post-Election Distractions
TOL Georgia reports that now Mikhail Saakashvili has officially started his second term in office a new report from international election observers note further irregularities with the conduct of the vote. However, the blog notes, the country and even the opposition have since moved on.
Armenia: Russian Masters
After a visiting Russian official effectively endorsed the candidacy of the prime minister ahead of next month's presidential election in Armenia, Nazarian asks if it isn't time Armenians started to think for themselves.
Azerbaijan: Something Fishy
After posting about fish swimming up water pipes and clogging up faucets, Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog now posts a photograph of the culprits.
Pakistan: No space for burials
Jahane Rumi reviews Feryal Ali Gauhar’s novel, No Space for Further Burials – that deals with Afghanistan and stereotypes.
Armenia: Indigenous Language Blogs
While most blogging from or about Armenia has been in English or Russian, The Armenian Observer is pleased to discover that the number of Armenian language blogs is slowly but surely increasing. Observer commends the blogs for their quality and recommends his readers encourage their development by visiting and commenting...
Kazakhstan: A Hidden Billionaire
Lena B-Va quotes the newly released Forbes’ report on the non-public billionaires “you never heard of” – and a Kazakh citizen mentioned in the report.
Afghanistan: Border with Pakistan is changing westward
Afghanistanica says that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border seems to be moving westward, and reviews the reactions of blogosphere on the matter with many Afghans being quite unhappy about this.
Afghanistan: Ongoing Culture Wars
Safrang reports on the continuing disturbing developments in the case of Perwiz Kambakhsh, the young Afghan student of journalism who has been sentenced to death by a primary court for propagating “blasphemous” literature.
Armenia: Tattoos
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs documenting a tattoo artist in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Although the country can be quite conservative, interest in tattoos has grown over the years and the blog says that both artist and client takes the matter seriously.
Kazakhstan: Movie Bids for Oscar
Adam Kesher reports that for the first time in history there is a Kazakh movie shortlisted for Oscar Award.
Tajikistan: Energy Crisis at the Boiling Point
Vadim says that Tajikistan is going to have more problems with electricity supply in the beginning of February.
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