Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from March, 2017
Back in the USSR?: Critics Say Draft Legislation Puts State Above Rights in Kazakhstan
"Can we designate people that leave their rubbish bags lying around outside their apartment doors enemies of state interests and remove their citizenships?"
With Rhinoplasty on the Rise, Whither the Armenian Nose?
“If the [economic] situation is bad, there are fewer operations; if the situation is good, there are many more operations.”
Kyrgyzstan's Capital Through the Cracked Windshields of Its Beloved Trolleybuses
Do Bishkek's trolleybuses have style? You bet they do!
Georgia Really, Really Wanted a Visa-Free Agreement with the EU, and Now It's Party Time
"From Tuesday, Georgian nationals may visit Europe’s vast borderless Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period."
In Kyrgyzstan, Media Facing Pressure from a Fearful President
A series of civil suits launched by the state prosecutor have seemingly targeted media for quoting the government's critics.
Georgia's Biggest Killer? Its Roads.
On 22 March, in Tbilisi, a mother and a daughter standing on the side of the road were hit by a car. The 11-year-old girl died on the spot.
Is Kazakhstan's President a Dictator? You Decide.
In a recent discussion with a hand-picked selection of journalists, Nazarbayev took pains to explain why Asian societies aren't always suited to democracy.
Meet Ara Malikian, the Cosmopolitan With a Violin
Global Voices interviews Ara Malikian, an Armenian violinist who grew up in Lebanon, about the influences that shaped his life and his music.
Afghanistan's Cricket Team Sends Hope Home from India
"Finally, a great feat! [Our] tenth win in a row in T20Is. Towards the glory!"
Netizen Report: Azerbaijani Bloggers Targeted with Legal Threats, Spearphishing
Censorship is up in France, China is censoring scientists (again), and Facebook tells developers to stop using network data for surveillance.
In Kyrgyzstan, Prosecutors Sue Media for Offending President
"By advising him to sue internet publications, they are really doing him a bad turn."
Georgian Town of Batumi Suffers Riots Over a Parking Ticket, Local Grievances
Social media users have been tweeting about the situation in the city under the hashtag #BatumiRiots.
Silicon Valley Giant Uber Caught up in Kazakhstan Wooden Stool Scandal
"Uber. Are you completely nuts? Is this what a Californian startup looks like?"
In Kyrgyzstan, Gender Discrimination and Violence Get a Boost from Popular Culture
A popular new reality TV show and an advert for a construction company have enraged feminists by trivialising abuses against women.
With Key TV Station Takeover, Is Free Speech in Georgia at Stake?
"We have seen the government slowly but surely moving to usurp the media space, focusing primarily on television."
In Azerbaijan, Another Blogger Gets Jail Time
"Instead of investigating credible allegation of ill-treatment, Azerbaijan jails outspoken critic #MehmanHuseynov for two years."
About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage
Filip Noubel is the interim Central Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
