· July, 2013

Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from July, 2013

Women's Struggle for Clean Water in Kyrgyzstan

  25 July 2013

UnitedKyrgyzstan blog tells [ru] a story of the daily struggle for clean water faced by women and children in many parts of rural Kyrgyzstan: It is the task of women and children to queue up for drinking water and then carry home heavy tanks with water through hundreds of meters of...

Gulnara Karimova: Mocked Abroad, Loved (and Feared) in Uzbekistan

  12 July 2013

Gulnara Karimova, the upwardly mobile daughter of Uzbekistan's aging "President for Life" Islam Karimov, celebrated her 41st birthday in typically decadent style on July 8. But as she enters mid-life, there are still few clues as to what job titles lie on the horizon for the woman known as Guli, Googoosha, Dr. Karimova, and The Dictator's Daughter.

Turkmens Appalled, J Lo Performs for Their President's Grand Birthday

  5 July 2013

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov got a fine 56th birthday present at the end of last month in the form of a concert starring Jennifer Lopez held at Turkmenistan's $2 billion state palace. But many ordinary Turkmens registered disgust at the display of opulence in a country where the average salary hovers around $200 per month.

Domestic Violence in Kyrgyzstan

  5 July 2013

Most girls and women in Kyrgyzstan are afraid of leaving their homes alone when it gets dark, believing that a dark street is the most frequent crime scene in the country. In reality, as SQ blog suggests [ru], four out of five crimes against women in the country take place...

‘Celebrities for Hire’ in Central Asia

  5 July 2013

On Registan.net, Aijan Sharshenova explains why ‘celebrities for hire’ (including pop diva Jennifer Lopez) entertaining the authoritarian leaders of post-Soviet Central Asian republics unwillingly improve their image among domestic audiences.

Traditional Kyrgyz Clothing

  5 July 2013

Personal appearance can tell a lot about a person and his nation. Traditional clothes of the Kyrgyz people is important part of material and spiritual culture of the nation, and it is closely linked with the country’s history

Game Over for the US Airbase in Kyrgyzstan?

  5 July 2013

After over a decade of scandal, intrigue and significant contributions to the state coffers, the Kyrgyzstani people are preparing for the consummation of their love-hate relationship with the American military installation located on the outskirts of their capital, Bishkek.

About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage

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.