Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from June, 2009
Azerbaijan: Dynamic blogosphere
In what is fast becoming the most dynamic blogosphere in the South Caucasus, and especially in English, Azeri bloggers continue to write poignant entries.
Azerbaijan: Persepolis
Global Voices Online author Ali S. Novruzov is interviewed by the OL! Azerbaijani youth movement on the movie Persepolis and comments on the role of women in post-revolution Iranian society.
Kazkahstan: Educational Deadlock
The problem of Kazakhstani textbooks for secondary school is still very urgent – numerous misprints, factual errors and inadequate language are charachteristic for these books. Lately, the Minister of Education reported to the ruling party on his activity, and told that his ministry is not responsible for them, as they...
Afganistan: Is Iran Supporting the Taliban?
As Iran faces deep unrest over its disputed election, a perhaps darker question haunts the country: Is the Iranian government funding the Afghan Taliban?
Azerbaijan: Expensive donkey
In Mutatione Fortitudo comments on news that a donkey costing $18,500 has been purchased using funds from the Azeri State Budget. The blog says that $179,700 was spent on such purchases last year and wonders why.
Azerbaijan: Rhetoric of Hate
Fighting windmills? Take a pill comments on the rhetoric of hate that often prevents Armenians and Azerbaijanis from being in contact with each other while the conflict between the two countries remains unresolved. The blogger says that she wants peace and cares about people rather than nationalities.
Kazkahstan: Nuclear scandal explodes
Sorge reports on the new high-profile corruption scandal in Kazakhstan around the country's KazAtomProm, the largest strategic state-owned enterprise of Kazakhstan.
Kazkahstan: Blogger interviews a pop star
Juldyz Almatbayeva interviews an enigmatic beauty of Kazakhstani show-business Dilnaz Akhmadiyeva – a singer and producer with the plans of conquering Western audience.
Kazakhstan: Football Mission Impossible
Dina reports that the England national football team’s arrival to Almaty, Kazakhstan, brought obvious excitement, but the final score was below expectations of the fans.
Kyrgyzstan: U.S. airbase launches Twitter account
According to Elena, military's PR office for the U.S. Manas Airbase in Kyrgyzstan believes joining to the Twitter social network will help the world to know more about the base’s goings on
Kyrgyzstan: Journalists Under Attacks
Elena says that continuing attacks on journalists in Kyrgyzstan have intensified in recent weeks, while investigation efforts obviously are not sufficient enough.
Uzbekistan: Another Border “Incident”
Joshua Foust reports that a Tajik citizen was gunned down and beaten by Uzbek border security agents in Syr Darya Oblast in Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan: Iranian trace in taliban's armament
Joshua Foust analyzes the news about Iranian weapons for the Taliban in western Afghanistan, and reflects whether it is a deliberate policy or a coincidental or rogue activity within southeastern Iran.
Uzbekistan: Border Problems
Elina Galperin reports on several most recent problems on Uzbekistan’s border with other Ferghana Valley neighbors.
Afghanistan: Amnesty International's Report
Colla reviews the annual report by Amnesty International on Afghanistan, calling it “shocking and shameful”, as it says that people are being terrorized both by the Taleban insurgents and by local militias.
Afghanistan: Taliban's cartoons
A new YouTube character, the cartoon guy, reads out the usual list of highly imaginative battle reports in Afghanistan, literally quoting official press-releases of the Taliban, Colla says.
Kazkahstan: The forbidden book
Zhanna says that two weeks ago Rakhat Aliev, former ambassador and son-in-law of the president of Kazakhstan, published his book revealing discrediting materials about the Kazakh governmental officials.
Turkmenistan: Same old cult
Schwartz notes that despite vows of sweeping changes, Turkmenistan remains as totalitarian as under the previous government.
Kazkahstan: Football Saturday
Adam reports on the preparation to the football World Cup qualifier match between Kazakhstan and England.
Afghanistan: Change of Command
Joshua Foust reflects on the fact of change of command in Afghanistan between General McKiernan and General McChrystal, and what it may mean for the further strategies.
Afghanistan: Travelling around Balkh province
Onne Parl shares his travelogue notes and pictures about his trip from Kabul to the Balkh province of Afghanistan.
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