Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from November, 2009
Azerbaijan: Prison Diary
AdnanEmin's Blog, Prison Diary, a new blog from Azerbaijan, has been set up to republish letters sent from prison in the oil-rich former Soviet republic by Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, two detained video blogging youth activists sentenced last week and considered by Amnesty International to be prisoners of conscience....
Georgia: Reaction to lack of media attention on Azerbaijan bloggers’ trial
Following last week's sentence on two video bloggers in Azerbaijan, some blogs in neighboring Georgia have posted critical entries condemning the arrest, trial and imprisonment of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli. This also extends to the lack of coverage in the local media.
Azerbaijan: More reaction to video blogger trial verdict
Days after the sentencing of two video blogging youth activists in Azerbaijan, other bloggers are starting to speak out about the imprisonment of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli. The two online activists will spend 2 and 2.5 years in jail after a trial which most consider to be politically motivated...
Egypt: Nidal Hassan – Psychiatrist or Psychotic?
Major Nidal Hassan is the US military psychiatrist of Arab origins who went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 people. He is now facing charges of premeditated murder. "Psychiatrist or Psychotic?", ask Egyptian bloggers.
Featured Editor: Onnik Krikorian
Onnik Krikorian is a British blogger, journalist, and photographer of Armenian decent who has been living in Yerevan, one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities, for the past 11 years. He is the Caucasus Editor for Global Voices where he amplifies the latest discussions taking place among bloggers in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.
USA: Veterans ask Obama to reconsider Afghanistan
Brave New Foundation posts a petition and YouTube video with young veterans asking Obama not to send more troops to Afghanistan.
Azerbaijan: Bloggers sentenced
As many of their supporters feared, and on the same day as a round table on the case against two detained video blogging youth activists, a court in Baku, Azerbaijan, earlier passed sentence on Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli. The verdict and first reaction spread on Twitter.
Kyrgyzstan: Satanized
Shairbek Zhusuev, leader of political party ErK (Erkin Kyrgyzstan – transl. Free Kyrgyzstan), shocked many Kyrgyzstanis stating that the capital of Kyrgyzstan Bishkek city has been satanized for many years, as it has a big sign symbolizing demonolatry. Zhusuev says that he found out about it while surfing Google Earths...
Uzbekistan: Thank you, cotton-growers!
Musafirbek says that the president of Uzbekistan officially thanked the cotton-growers for gathering the harvest of this strategic product for Uzbekistan. However, those who sweat away, collecting this cotton (including children) were not mentioned in the president’s address.
Kazkahstan: The Arrival of Kazakhbashi?
Alexander Visotzky writes about the opening of a monument in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, where the authorities uncovered a 15-foot high bronze statue of incumbent president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Uzbekistan: EU lifts Uzbek sanctions
Dafydd reports that the EU has lifted the arms embargo on Uzbekistan. Reasons given are abolishment of the death penalty and release of political prisoners.
Mongolia: New Prime Minister
Bilguun watched the change of the government in Mongolia, starting from resignation of S.Bayar under health reasons, nomination of Su.Batbold (then Minister of Foreign Relations) and his instatement.
Kyrgyzstan: Is democracy too early for Kyrgyzstan?
Ahad Abdurahmon reflects on the issue why democracy is failing in Kyrgyzstan, a country which was so promising?
Afghanistan: UN withdraws from Kabul?
Sailani says that in response to continuing threats to the foreign staff in Afghanistan, it now appears that a decision has been made to withdraw about six hundred UN international officers from Kabul.
Mongolia: Swine flu update
Bilguun reports that the total number of confirmed cases of H1N1 in Mongolia has reached 632, of whom 514 are in the capital city of Ulaan Baatar.
Afghanistan: Who are the leaders of Taliban?
Nick Fielding reflects on the the question of who is running the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and who are the members of the so-called the Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership.
Kazakhstan: Jumyr Kylysh or Two Warriors
KZBlog tells about the new album of the Kazakh band Ulytau and says that their style can be described as classical/rock/prog-rock/electronic pop fusion music, influenced by Yes, Metallica, and Bach, coupled by the Kazakh influence.
Afghanistan: Security deteriorates, says report
Nick Fielding reviews the most recent report on the security environment in Afghanistan, which says that the situation has deteriorated since 2005, affecting all aspects of the reconstruction operations.
Azerbaijan: Traditions
Sheki, Azerbaijan makes two posts on specific traditions practiced in her home country. In the first post, the blog explains how the shoes of visitors to homes are paired outside the front door, and in the second it looks at pickling white cucumbers.
Azerbaijan: Chess victory
Sheki, Azerbaijan comments on Azerbaijan's recent victory in the European Team Chess Championship. The blog says that it is proud of the achievement and hopes for more victories.
Azerbaijan: Reaction to yesterday's blogger trial
As the trial of video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli continues in Baku, two English-language bloggers from Azerbaijan react to yesterday's aborted court hearing.
About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage
