· August, 2011

Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from August, 2011

Azerbaijan: Ramadan

  30 August 2011

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...

Kazakhstan: Controversy Over State Language Promotion

  25 August 2011

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

  25 August 2011

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.

Azerbaijan: Tourism – from potential to realization

  23 August 2011

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

RuNet Echo  23 August 2011

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

  22 August 2011

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.

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Unlikely Pen Pals?

  16 August 2011

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

  14 August 2011

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

  14 August 2011

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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Nurbek Bekmurzaev
Nurbek Bekmurzaev is the Central Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Arzu Geybullayeva
Arzu Geybullayeva is the South Caucasus editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.