Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from January, 2009
Kyrgyzstan: Changes, Reshuffling and Invariability
Almatyreporter writes that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has dismissed a batch of ministers, governors, mayors, administration officials, and even several ambassadors.
Afghanistan: Human Rights Watch and The Azizabad Massacre
Colla reports that Human Rights Watch has sent a letter to outgoing US Secretary of Defense Robert M Gates to remind of the US night air attack on Azizabad, Afghanistan, that took place on 21-22 August last year and resulted in tens of dead civilians, while the US authroties were...
Tajikistan: Earthquake rumor
Vadim reports that the recent rumor about the possible powerful earthquake in Tajikistan made thousands of people throughout the country to leave their homes and spend the freezing night in the street.
Kazakhstan: National Issue Revisited
Arseny’s post is about the controversy over the nationality record in the new Kazakhsani biometric passports.
Kyrgyzstan: Not Free Religion
Elena reviews some statements of the new law about religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan: World MBA Tour Comes to Almaty
Adam writes about the World MBA Tour, the world’s best and biggest business school fairs, which will take place in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan, early March this year.
Afghanistan: Obama Honors Warlord, Snubs Karzai
Joshua Foust reflects on the fact that US President Obama selected four Afghan politicians to participate in his inaugural ceremony, among whom there was no incumbent president of Aghanistan Karzai.
Afghanistan: Election Holdups and Insurgency Holddowns
Patrick Frost analyzes the outcomes of US Assistant Secretary Boucher's visit to Kabul and what it means for the Taliban’s resurgence and governance in Afghanistan, including the issue of possible delaying of this years Presidential election.
The Balkans: Urbanization
The Unforgiving Minute writes about urban development in the Balkans and elsewhere.
Armenia: Ultra-nationalists
Unzipped comments on news that an association for ultra-nationalist groups in Armenia was established before the New Year. The blog notes with alarm that the association will collaborate with ultra-nationalist groups in other countries, including Russia.
Armenia: Homophobic Media
Despite the country's recent endorsement of a UN declaration against discrimination on sexual orientation, Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to expose the prevalent homophobia in Armenian society. Following recent discriminatory and alarmist comments from a leading member of civil society, the blog notes that one newspaper has discovered there are lesbians...
Armenia-Turkey: Genocide Historian Responds
My The Caucasian Knot details and comments on attempts by one group in the U.S.-Armenian Diaspora to silence a prominent Genocide historian. Coinciding with the second memorial of Hrant Dink's murder in Istanbul, Ara Sarafian was quoted by the Turkish media as saying it was ironic that many Armenians seeking...
Armenia: Musings
Ara Balozian continues to ponder life, the universe and everything on his blog, Ara Home Page. In his two latest posts, the controversial independent writer and thinker considers what it is to be Armenian and contemplates the Armenian view of history.
Israel: A Russian Photojournalist's Notes
Dmitry Kostyukov (LJ user kostyukov), a Russian photojournalist, is currently on assignment in Israel. In August 2008, he was covering the war in South Ossetia, and in his posts from Israel, he does draw some parallels between the two conflicts, and also provides insight into the work of a war photographer.
Azerbaijan: Day of Tragedy
Commenting on a Global Voices Online post, 27 Months in Azerbaijan offers its own opinion on the 19th anniversary of the Soviet repression of unrest in its former satellite on 20 January 1990. The blog concludes that although the day was a tragedy, it also represented the opportunity for a...
Turkey: Obama Trepidation
Istanbul Calling says that the Turkish media has greeted the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. President with some trepidation. In particular, the blog says there are concerns that Obama will do what his predecessors have failed to follow through with in the past — fulfill campaign promises to recognize...
Azerbaijan: Black January
As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as "Black January," a day which marks a defining moment in the rebirth of the former Soviet republic.
Armenia: Azerbaijani Airliner Lands in Yerevan
My The Caucasian Knot comments on yesterday's arrival of an Azerbaijani passenger plane flying directly between Baku and Yerevan. Carrying the American, Russian and French co-chairs charged with the task of mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan in an attempt to find a solution to the Nagorno Karabakh, such flights have...
Russia: Train Station, Migrant Workers and Pro-Kremlin Youth
LJ user drugoi posts pictures and video (RUS) from Moscow's Kazansky Train Station, where activists from a pro-Kremlin youth movement held a rally to encourage Central Asian migrant workers to “work legally” and “pay taxes.”
Turkey: Hrant Dink Memorial Video
mondoDesperado posts video of yesterday's memorial to commemorate the second anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian newspaper editor and journalist, Hrant Dink, outside his office in Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkey: Hrant Dink Murder Unresolved
Journalist in Turkey comments on yesterday's anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and editor, Hrant Dink. The blog says that two years later there is no political will in Turkey to bring the masterminds of the killing to justice.
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