Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from January, 2008
Afghanistan: Lord Ashdown Steps Down
Afghanistan Watch reports that Lord Paddy Ashdown has withdrawn his name from consideration as the UN envoy to Afghanistan, after President Hamid Karzai and other officials expressed opposition last week, concerned about the extent of his power.
Afghanistan: Elections could be problematic
Bipasha Ray says that while president Karzai attempts to project his authority to prepare for a possible re-election bid, a U.S. Army report finds cause for worry about security in the national elections in Afghanistan.
Armenia: Opposition Rally Beating
Following the beating of a heckler at a pre-election campaign meeting by Levon Ter-Petrossian, one of the former president's supporters, Nazarian, instead attacks Armenian Public TV H1 for covering the unfortunate incident.
Russia: Kasyanov and Invalid Signatures
Mark MacKinnon writes about Mikhail Kasyanov's failed attempt to run for president and provides “an incomplete list of the invalid signatures phenomenon in post-Soviet elections.”
Armenia: On The Campaign Trail
In another post on my Armenia Election Monitor 2008 there is coverage and photographs of the campaign of another presidential candidate, Vahan Hovannisian, ahead of next month's vote.
Armenia: Army Day
January 28 is a national holiday in Armenia and marks the foundation of the Armenian Army. Nazarian posts his thanks for the creation of the country's post-independence non-Soviet army.
Afghanisatn:AfghanPress, a new digital media
Afghan Press is a new media about Afghanistan.Afghan Press is about digital media, documentaries, podcasts, online TV, journalism, women blogging, youth empowerment via the internet and beyond.
UK: Disgrace
Blogrel comments on yesterday's desecration of a stone cross erected in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The blogger says that as the vandalism was a disgrace and marked a new low coming as it did on Holocaust Memorial Day he hopes...
UK: Genocide Memorial Vandalism Update
Blogian posts a photograph of the monument erected in the Welsh city of Cardiff that was vandalized yesterday. The desecration of the Armenian stone cross came on the eve of a special event to mark Holocaust Day as well as to pay respects to the memory of Turkish-Armenian editor and...
Caucasus: Polarized Politics
This being the year of elections in the South Caucasus, Marilisa Lorusso's Blog says that reasoned political debate has given way to aggression and a polarized environment that will be difficult to reconcile later. The post also rounds up the latest election-related news from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
UK: Armenian Genocide Memorial Vandalized
Blogian and Unzipped report on the desecration of a monument erected to honor the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The vandalism occurred on the eve of an event to remember slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Seta's Armenian blog posts a press release stating...
Tajikistan: Energy crisis aggravates
Vadim reports that Uzbekistan is limiting supplies of natural gas to the already freezing Tajikistan because of big debt.
Turkmenistan: Internet and Blogosphere
Maciula writes about various aspects of Turkmenistan’s isolation on the Internet and presents the the only known English-language blog written by a Turkmen.
Kyrgyzstan: Revolution Committee Established
Asel writes that the newly-established Revolution Committee is demanding President Bakiev’s resignation as he failed to keep his promises.
Kazakhstan: More Turkish-Kazakh Violence
KZBlog reports that according to Turkish news sources, a group of 30 masked men in Almaty, Kazakhstan, attacked 40 Turkish workers Thursday night.
Uzbekistan: Military Chief Goes to Tashkent
Nathan reacts to the fact that a top U.S. military commander made a stop in Tashkent and met with President Karimov and Uzbek defense officials.
Afghanistan: Iranian Weapons in Farah?
Joshua Foust is skeptikal about another declaration made by a mid-level official that Iran is allegedly sending weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Balkhi Returns To Balkh
Mohammad Fahim reports on the ceremony of 800th Anniversary of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi, the Afghanistan's philosopher and mystical poet known as Rumi in west.
Armenia: Pensioners’ Election Opinions
My Armenia Election Monitor 2008 continues to cover next month's presidential election in Armenia with a post on the concerns and voting preferences of the country's 530,000 pensioners. Citing special coverage in the local media, it looks like senior citizens in Armenia are as divided, confused and cynical towards the...
Armenia: World Bank Corruption Fallout
Expat worker Bruce Tasker continues to update his readers on the latest developments on his blog, Blowing The World Bank Whistle. In particular, he details how coverage in the local media is finally beginning to pay dividends in his attempt to reveal alleged World Bank corruption in Armenia.
Azerbaijan: Children's Show
An American in Azerbaijan says that he is becoming increasingly frustrated by working with a local television station on a show for children. Exasperated by a tight deadline, the blogger says that his work is frustrated by a “lack of vision” from ANS TV.
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