Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from September, 2010
Georgia: Crossing into Abkhazia
drugoi [RU] posts an account of crossing into the breakaway territory of Abkhazia. Recognized by only four UN member states since the 2008 Russia-Georgia war over South Ossetia, the post also includes photographs.
Armenia: Army Hazing
Unzipped comments on a video originally posted on YouTube showing what appears to be hazing in the Armenian military. Taken down after 246 Facebook shares and 669 comments, it has since appeared on Daily Motion. Given other cases of deaths and mistreatment in the army, the blog says that the...
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Social Networking and Conflict Resolution
Global Chaos details the hacking of the personal Facebook page of one young ethnic Armenian by someone presumably in Azerbaijan. Although new and social media tools are increasingly being used in peace-building initiatives to resolve the long-running conflict between the two countries over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, the...
Azerbaijan: Opposition bloc unveiled
Tamada Tales comments on news that two opposition parties, Musavat and the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, have formed an election bloc to contend 90 of the 125 seats up for grabs in November's parliamentary election. However, the blog notes, while some are willing to give it the “benefit of the...
Azerbaijan: Ramadan in Sheki
Sheki, Azerbaijan comments on observing Ramadan in Azerbaijan. The blog says that the holiday is a time for sharing and remembering relatives that have passed away as well as those also marking the tradition.
Afghanistan: Inside a school for suicide bombers
The Republic of Silence has shared [fa] a video from film maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. How does the Taliban convince children to become suicide bombers? Propaganda footage from a training camp in Pakistan is intercut with interviews of young camp graduates.
Azerbaijan: Baku welcomes the world's highest flag… and a strong wind
After the significant expense of participating in the Eurovision song contest and holding the annual Flower Festival, oil-rich Azerbaijan keeps on surprising the world. Last week, for example, the world's highest flag was hoisted in the capital, Baku.
Turkmenistan: Instant messenger agent.mail.ru banned in Turkmenistan
Annasoltan informs the readers that the government of Turkmenistan decided to ban the popular social networking site and instant messenger agent.mail.ru.
Tajikistan: On the problems of Tajik youth
With an average age of 24, Tajikistan is one of the world’s youngest countries. But this may be a curse rather than a blessing, argues Tajik Voice exploring youth culture in this country and covering two topics – religion and life prioroties.
Uzbekistan: Clashes on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border
Marat Sartpaev reports on the series of incidents with detentions of officers and citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan by each side since late August, while ordinary citizens are becoming nervous about this.
Kazakhstan: Oraza fasting and new media
Askhat reflects on Oraza, the Muslim fasting in Kazakhstan, by reviewing the Internet users’ comments and questions they ask online on the forums and specialized websites about fasting.
Kazakhstan: Controversial and Ambitious Boxer
KZBlog writes about Beibut Shumenov, boxing world champion from Kazakhstan, his scandalous winning of the title in home country last year, and also about his plans for the future.
Afghanistan: Interview with Taliban commander
Nick Fielding reports that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban) website has published an interview with Qari Khairullah Muneeb, commander in the south of Kandahar province.
Mongolia: Mongol horse racing and Naadam festival
Bilguun tells about Mongolia's Naadam festival in July, it's history and present. It is normally followed by a season of feasts, featuring the “three manly sports”, namely archery, wrestling and horse racing.
Afghanistan: Insecurity in Badakhshan
Joel Hafvenstein reflects on the state of security in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan after two recent lethal attacks by insurgents on aid workers there.
http://www.registan.net/index.php/2010/09/04/imu-leader-probably-killed-in-takhar/
Joshua Foust examines the news about Mohammed Amin, a key figure in the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, who has been probably killed by the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Armenia: Literary Capital 2012
Ianyan provides a comprehensive report on news that Yerevan, the Armenian capital, will become UNESCO World Book Capital for 2012. The blog says that the city will be the 12th to hold the title, coincidentally in the same year that marks the 500th anniversary of the first printed book, but...
Tajikistan: Women's Perspective on Climate Change
Mark Notaras and Citt Williams bring Tajik women's viewpoint on climate change in OurWorld 2.0 blog. “The way that individual people perceive climate change is complex. Climate change impacts are not simply good or bad. They can be both, as demonstrated in this Our World 2.0 video-brief showcasing the perspectives...
Azerbaijan: I want my children and your children together…
vhsoy posts a video of imprisoned video blogging Azerbaijani youth activist Emin Milli speaking at a forum in the House of Commons in 2008. Emin Milli was detained in July the following year, along with fellow activist Adnan Hajizade, before being sentenced to 2.5 in prison that November on what...
Azerbaijan: World's highest flag hits a snag
Aaron in Azerbaijan [EN] posts photographs of the world's tallest flag pole newly erected in the center of Baku, the capital of the oil-rich republic. However, d'Effektiv blog [AZ] reflects on the fuss around the record-breaking construction unveiled two days ago ahead of an official visit by the Russian president...
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Time for peaceful coexistence
In another guest post on The Caucasian Knot, youth activist and student Marine Ejuryan reflects on the negative stereotypes in play between Armenia and Azerbaijan because of the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh. However, she notes, positive examples of peaceful coexistence are rarely if ever mentioned in the media and...
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