Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from June, 2008
Russia: Dostoevsky Museums
Josefina of Russian Blog visits Dostoevsky Museum in Moscow – and writes briefly about the other six, in St. Petersburg, Staraya Russa, Darovoye, Novokuznetsk, Omsk, and Semipalatinsk.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: EUFOR Helicopter Crashes; Bosnian in Afghanistan Killed
YakimaGulagLiteraryGazett reports on the two Bosnia-related tragic accidents that have occurred recently.
Azerbaijan: Media Concerns
Writing on AFP's Correspondent blog, the news organization's Caucasus Bureau Chief, Michael Mainville, laments the state of the media in Azerbaijan. The post recognizes the pressures and restrictions in place on local journalists in the oil-rich country and comments on the case of Agil Khalil who has been recognized by...
Caucasus: Religious Practices Update
Social Science in the Caucasus provides an update on its survey of religious practices in the South Caucasus. The blog of the Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) says that women place more significance on the importance of religion in their lives than men.
Armenia: Eurovision Metal
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on rumors that Armenian-American rock band System of a Down (SOAD) are interested in representing Armenia in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. However, there is also speculation that the band are interested in using the contest to gain exposure to campaign for Genocide recognition. The blog...
Armenia: European Media Demands
Following last week's landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Unzipped comments on the importance of the judgment for the embattled A1 Plus TV station which was deprived of its broadcasting frequency by the authorities in 2002. The blog says that pressure on the government to allow it...
Kazakhstan: Freedom House blames Astana
Zhanna Zhukova reports that Freedom House said yesterday that the resource curse in energy-rich Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is taking root.
Kazakhstan: Highway to prosperity
Ben reports on the World Bank’s president, Bob Zoellick, visit to Kazakhstan, which has resulted in a $2.5 billion infrastructure project.
Turkmenistan: Ashgabat Buys Russian Weapons
Peter reports on a Russian arms deal to sell Turkmenistan six BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launchers.
Uzbekistan: The slain journalist's father calls on authorities
Libertad translates a post about the letter of a father of a murdered journalist Alisher Saipov addressed to the presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan: Costs and benefits
Peter Marton quotes a high-ranking German general, who admits that the costs and benefits of the Afghanistan mission have to be expected, not merely counted as they are at present.
Uzbekistan: Fighting internet censorship
Today, Uzbekistan is remaining one of the repressive countries in the region that maintains a tight grip on mass media. Despite it has all the nominal guarantees of the freedom of speech, the media is being systematically attacked by the government. The article 5 in the law of the Republic...
Caucasus: Religious Practices
Social Science in the Caucasus examines data on religious practices in the region. The blog of the Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) uses its own data to assess the importance of religion in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. According to the survey from last year, respondents in Georgia were more numerous...
Kyrgyzstan: U.S. troops won't expand
Elena reports that US Deputy Assistant Secretary George Krol refuted rumours about the expansion of American airbase in Manas airport near the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Afghanistan: Taliban Retreat
Patrick Frost says that after a couple weeks of poor news regarding Afghani security, there was finally some positive developments as a force of Afghanistan troops supported by NATO armored vehicles and helicopters appeared to rout Taliban forces who recently took over the Arghandab region surrounding Kandahar.
Kazakhstan: Astana Anniversary
Joshua Foust is ironic saying that Kazakhstan seems to have no other problems than how to light its not-fake capital’s overly elaborate 10th anniversary.
Caucasus: European Integration
Azerbaijan – a part of Europe says that it hopes the countries of the South Caucasus will be close to integrating with Europe in 10 years. However, the blog concludes, it requires a change in the mindset of the local populations and how they think.
Armenia: Higher Education Blog
Armenian Higher Education & Sciences has been established by Aryana Petrova, an education consultant and lecturer. The blog should provide a unique insight into the education sector in Armenia and starts the ball rolling with posts on the appointment of Spartak Seyranian as the new education minister.
Armenia: Regional Supermarket
Blogrel comments on news that a Yerevan-based supermarket chain has opened a store outside of the capital. The blog wonders how such a development will affect small stores and market traders in the regions.
Azerbaijan: Mulberries
Sheki, Azerbaijan reports that everyone is getting ready for mulberry season in the country. The blog says that in addition to being quite tasty, they are also healthy and excellent as a source of vitamins as well helping strengthen the immune system.
Armenia: FUNarchists
Seetizen, the blog of a youth activist, comments on the approach taken by a new youth initiative in the country. The blog says that by encouraging young Armenians to develop ideas about changing their situation, HENQ offers an alternative to the approach favored by those initiatives supporting the radical opposition.
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