Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from August, 2011
Azerbaijan: Ramadan
Aaron in Azerbaijan introduces its readers to Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting also known as Ramazan, and comments on a reflection on gender and faith during the period of observance of the by a local female blogger, Sensible and Sensitive, who visited a mosque for the first time in...
Tajikistan: Rahmon becomes Leader of XXI Century awardee — but who is awarding?
Abulfazal informs that Tajikistan president Emamoli Rahmon was awarded with the “Leader of XXI Century” prize for his cultural and political distinctions by the European Council on International Relations, barely known for its activities.
Turkmenistan: Government campaigns against satellite dishes
President Berdimuhammedov has declared satellite dishes a stain on the cityscape of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan— but is it just a ploy to curtail the seeping influence of outside media, ponders Tomyris.
Turkmenistan: A veteran’s view of the country's music scene
Annasoltan interviews a veteran of the Turkmen music scene to explore the last 20 years of artistic development in Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan: Another anti-presidential movement emerged
Mansurhon reports on yet another campaign that wants Uzbekistan president’s resignation, as a few activists from different regions of Uzbekistan announced a new organization to oppose the regime.
Mongolia: Higher visitors cause major traffic jams
Bilguun writes about the visits of president of South Korea and US vice-president Joe Biden to Mongolia – both in one day – causing major roadblocks and traffic jams across the nation's capital city.
Afghanistan: RAND's plans for Afghan peace talks
Nick Fielding reviews a new report from the RAND Corporation, which analyzes the prospects of orchestrating a negotiation process between the government and with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Turkey: An Armenian Adventure on Two Wheels
Despite historical differences and a closed border, an Armenian motorcyclist travels across Turkey, blogging his experiences and observations en route.
Kazakhstan: Controversy Over State Language Promotion
In early August 2011, the Ministry of Culture of Kazakhstan developed a draft law to introduce some amendments into the state's language policy. It was quickly labeled by many observers as a move to further reduce the scope of use of the Russian language, which enjoys equal status with the Kazakh language, according to the Constitution.
Afghanistan: Afghan Youth Voices Multimedia Festival
In Afghanistan, Internews network is ramping up their efforts to train and motivate Afghan youth to share their perspective on issues that matter to them for the Afghan Youth Voices Festival and Media Camp. They already have many videos documenting different ways in which Afghan youth are reaching out to others.
Georgia: Social Media Used by Presidential Election Candidate in Breakaway Region
Three candidates are competing this week for the presidency in Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia recognized only by Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, and Vanuatu. Despite being the oldest candidate, Sergei Shamba, born in 1951, turned to social media in order to attract support from voters online.
Azerbaijan: Tourism – from potential to realization
Having returned from an enjoyable vacation in Indonesia, Aaron in Azerbaijan compares the experience with what Azerbaijan has to offer and notes such problems as the quality of customer service as well as the infrastructure in place. While the blog notes that the country has much potential for tourism, it...
Uzbekistan: Journalist Harassed in Tashkent Airport
Elena Bondar, Young Uzbek journalist, was detained at the arrival to Tashkent airport after attending a course on modern journalism tools, organized by OSCE and Deutsche Welle in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Fergana News reports [ru]. After thorough examination of her documents and baggage, the customs officials let the journalist go home, but confiscated CDs and USB...
Armenia: Artificial smiles and a beauty pageant
Unzipped comments on the closing ceremony of this year's Pan-Armenian Games, an irregular sporting competition intended to bring together young Armenians from all over the world. The blog criticizes what it says was “the most boring, pathetic and tasteless ceremonies I have ever seen in Yerevan.
Kyrgyzstan: Bloggers Take a Stand Against Manas-pulation
As Kyrgyzstan prepares for its 20th anniversary of independence and subsequent presidential elections, its legendary warrior king Manas is becoming more and more real by the day. Bloggers discuss the phenomenon.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Unlikely Pen Pals?
Tamada Tales comments on an exchange between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and an Armenian child living in the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Tensions between the two ethnic groups remain high, but the exchange ended with an invitation from Aliyev to the 13-year-old girl to visit the oil-rich...
Armenia: An accident and Ramazan
One Hell of a Ride, a blog by an Armenian biker, continues its travelogue documenting a journey across Turkey. After an unfortunate accident, the blog notes the professionalism of the Turkish police before receiving the assistance of locals during Ramazan, the Islamic month of fasting.
Russia-Georgia-US: Versions of War
Eugene Ivanov of The Ivanov Report – on the third anniversary of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war – argues that US demands that Georgia should control its entire territory to become a NATO-member was a key motivation for escalation of the South Ossetian conflict into outright war.
US-Russia: Reset in the Balance
Gordon Hahn of Russia: Other Points of View provides perspective to the gradual decay of US Russia reset policy against the background of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war and increasing political turmoil in Ukraine.
Armenia: Welcome to Turkey
One Hell of a Ride posts an update on its motorcycle trip from Armenia across Turkey. The blogger has now entered the country from Georgia and says that Georgian police are so much more polite and professional than their Armenian counterparts while also noting that Turkish border guards welcomed him...
Armenia: Biking and Tweeting through Turkey
One Hell of a Ride, an Armenian Biker's blog, says that it is travelling across neighbouring Turkey on a motorcycle. The journey will cover over 4,500 kilometers and take in more than 80 cities and towns. The blog plans to update its readers on the adventure en route, including via...
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