Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from March, 2006
Tajikistan: Religious legislation
Amira over at The Golden Road to Samarqand reports that although not a frequent sight, there seems to be agreement between Muslims, Christians and Jews over rejecting new legislation that would severely limit religious practice.
Central Asia: Visual delights
On The Registan, CXW has found one of the best ever online photo galleries featuring the works of Canadian photographer Christopher Herwig who has travelled extensively throughout the region.
Central Asia: Opinion polls
James of neweurasia posts the excerpts of a seminar on public opinion polls in Central Asia in general, and Tajikistan in particular. The results reveal some very interesting tendencies.
Armenia: Visiting Berd
Oneworld Blog has two posts about visits to Berd, an Armenian town close to the Azeri border. While Onnik posts a picture he took in 2004, Nessuna recounts her weekend trip to this forgotten town.
Uzbekistan: Post-Karimov
Amidst the events in Belarus, Olesya of neweurasia wonders what will happen after presidential elections slated to take place in Uzbekistan in December 2007.
Kyrgyzstan: One year on
Sandro of Kyrgyzstan Students is being bitter about the first anniversary of the ‘Tulip Revolution’ whereas Amira over at The Golden Road to Samarqand talked to some students who hold different opinions. Claire of neweurasia also has some details.
Uzbekistan: Tightening the Screws
An anonymous contributor to neweurasia posts about ever more regulations being enacted that make operating NGOs in Uzbekistan a Sisyphean task.
Mongolia: Roads
neweurasia's Mongolia blog commenced posting and among many posts, this one here discusses whether Mongolia should really look into nuclear power as an energy alternative.
Voices from Central Asia and the Caucasus
Lunch – by Dushanbe Pictures, Erik Petersson, 2006 With that fresh portion of Tajik plov on your plate, we bid you welcome to the latest roundup of the Central Asian and Caucasian blogosphere, brought to you bi-weekly by neweurasia. First off, apologies for the delay in presenting this week's edition...
Uzbekistan: UNHCR kicked out
The latest international organisation forced to leave Uzbekistan is the UNHCR. No reasons have been disclosed by the Uzbek government yet, writes CXW.
Central Asia: Happy Nawruz!
Ataman Rakin wishes “Happy Nawruz” and gives some background information on the festivities that are celebrated in all Central Asian states.
Armenia: National Geographic Award
Onnik Krikorian, whose blog Oneworld features many of his photos, has been nominated for the prestigious National Geographic All Road's photography award.
Central Asian hegemon
James of neweurasia posts about a rapprochement between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Central Asia's largest and most populous countries respectively.
Uyghurs: Tarim River
The Opposite End of China notes a recent report from the official Xinhua news agency about the resettlement of around 700 families in the environs of the Tarim River, whose water levels are falling dramatically.
Armenia: Cops at Work
ArmYouth Blog reports that pay increases for police that went into effect last year might actually be having the intended, positive effect of reducing corruption.
Kyrgyzstan: Celebrate the “Revolution?” II
neweurasia reports that the debate amongst politicians over whether or not to make March 24th a holiday to mark the first anniversary of the Tulip Revolution is getting heated..
Kyrgyzstan: Student Blog
A new blog written by students of universities in Bishkek and Karakol, Kyrgyzstan has launched with a post written by a law student criticizing the country's president.
Kyrgyzstan: Aksy
Today is the anniversary of the 2002 killing of 6 protesters in the Aksy region of Kyrgyzstan's Jalalabad province. neweurasia has a post commemorating the anniversary.
Kyrgyzstan: Celebrate the “Revolution?”
neweurasia covers the debate over whether or not to celebrate the first anniversary of Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution. The debate also encompasses whether or not what took place can even rightly be called a revolution.
Armenia: Turkish Trade
Christian Garbis explains how it is that trade with Turkey flourishes despite it being illegal and complaints about low-quality Turkish products.