Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from February, 2007
Tajikistan: Violet Revolt
Vadim notes that a new opposition party has appeared in Tajikistan, threatening to overthrow the president in a popular revolt if he does not resign by the spring. Vadim says that this is quite unlikely to find much support among Tajikistan's citizenry.
Armenia: A Real Alternative
The Armenian Libertarian-Socialist Movement blog notes the appearance of a new movement calling itself “The Alternative,” and examines whether or not the movement lives up to what it claims to be.
Kyrgyzstan: Turning Around the Economy
The new Kyrgyz government must turn around the economy says Kyrgyz Report. They ask whether or not Prime Minister Isabekov can pull off the task.
Kyrgyzstan: Freedom of the Press?
At neweurasia, Yulia discusses reports saying that Kyrgyzstan has the freest media in Central Asia, saying that bad always looks good compared to worse.
Kazakhstan: Gathering Evidence
The Atyrau Informant reports on the story of a woman tormented by a gang of criminals in Kazakhstan. The police refused to look into the matter, citing a lack of evidence. That is, they refused until she started videotaping the people harassing her.
Uzbekistan: President's Nephew in Mental Hospital
Tolkun Umaraliev reports on the case of Jamshid Karimov, an independent journalist often critical of the government who also happens to be a nephew of the Uzbekistan's authoritarian president. In a throwback to Soviet practice, Karimov has been placed in a psychiatric hospital in Samarkand.
Turkmenistan: The Internet Comes to Town
One of the first acts of Turkmenistan's new president was to start the ball rolling on opening up access to the internet in the country. Now that it's arrived, neweurasia looks at what's next and what Turkmenistan must do to catch up with its neighbors.
Armenia: Barekendan
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor 2007 blog has photos and a report on Barekendan, a traditional Armenian festival comparable to Mardi Gras or Carnival that many activists, including a considerable segment of the Armenian blogosphere, have revived to try to mobilize people to take an interest in the coming parliamentary...
Kazakhstan: Exile for Aliyev?
Sean Roberts discusses the sudden appointment of the son-in-law of Kazakhstan's president as ambassador to Austria and the OSCE, speculating as to whether or not he has been exiled for recent scandalous behavior just as was believed to be the reason for his appointment to the same position in 2001.
Kazakhstan: Memorial Demonstration
neweurasia reports on a recent public demonstration marking the first anniversary of the murder of opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbayev and calling for certain officials to resign and for government organs involved in the murder to be disbanded.
Kyrgyzstan: Kokboru
Nikki of the other side of the world posts photos from a game of kokboru in Kyrgyzstan. The game, which is also known as buzkashi or ulak, pits two teams on horseback against each other trying to get a goat or sheep carcass into a goal.
Tajikistan: Blogosphere Roundup
Vadim takes readers on a tour of the Tajik blogosphere.
Armenia: Dangers for Motorcycles
Blogster, a blog about motorcycling in Armenia, lists the most dangerous road hazards for motorcyclists in Armenia.
Armenia: Banana Republic Party
Kronstadt has started the Banana Republic Party to heap ridicule on Gagik Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia party.
Soviet Union: History Syllabus
J. Otto Pohl posts his third “imaginary” syllabus: “Introduction to the History of Kazakhstan and Central Asia Under Russian and Soviet Rule.”
Armenia: Prosperous Armenia
CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor 2007 reports on Gagik Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia part. Tsarukian's party is popular with the poor for its charity, which critics label vote buying.
Tajikistan: Water Pollution
At neweurasia, Gulru writes about water pollution in Tajikistan, saying that there Tajik citizens can be part of the solution.
Armenia: Structure Determines All
Armenian Libertarian-Socialist Movement argues that Armenia's political structure is institutionalizing politics ruled by the military and oligarch without any real alternatives in sight.
Tajikistan: Separatism Concerns
Tajikistan plans to give additional autonomy to the Gorno-Badakhshan region, the western part of the country which is mostly inhabited by Pamiris. Vadim says that concerns that this will encourage separatism are exaggerated.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan: Radio Cuts
Adam Kesher reports on plans in President Bush's proposed budget to cut funding for Kazakh and Uzbek language radio broadcasts.
Kazakhstan: Moving the Ministry
KZBlog reports on yet another of the many uses of students in Central Asia. In this case, it is moving Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education into a new building.
About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage
