Stories about Tajikistan from August, 2012
Tajikistan's Capital Mayor Meets with Facebook Users
In a rare display of political openness, the mayor of the country's capital Dushanbe met with some 400 Facebook users and responded to their criticisms. The meeting was broadcast live online.
Russia's War Games Make Georgia Nervous
This September, Russia is planning to hold 'Caucasus-2012' with forces from the breakaway Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. With 8,000 troops, as well as heavy machinery, artillery, navy, and air force, this will be Russia’s largest exercise this year. Is this too close for comfort for Georgians?
Tajikistan: Troops Open Fire on Protesters in Volatile Province
"What kind of an idiot could kill the person at a moment when even a minor altercation may lead to a new civil war in Tajikistan?" The protest began after a former opposition commander was killed in his home this morning.
Central Asia's Mixed Success at London Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympics offered mixed successes for Central Asian states. While the Games proved nothing short of triumph for team Kazakhstan, the success of athletes from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan was more moderate. And for Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, the Olympics were largely a disappointment.
Tajikistan: New Oil and Gas Find is Good and Bad
Canada-listed Tethys Petroleum has recently announced that they found a large gas and oil field in Tajikistan. On Registan.net, Joshua Foust explains why the discovery is both good and bad for Tajikistan.
Tajikistan: Can Olympic Medalist Become a ‘National Symbol'?
Fans in Tajikistan continue celebrating Olympic bronze won by female boxer Mavzuna Chorieva. Blogger Harsavor suggests [ru] that the fighter might become the country's new “national symbol”.
Tajikistan: Female Boxer Fights Odds, Wins Olympic Bronze
"I hope Chorieva will become a motivation for other Tajik girls and women, and we will have more female champions in future. It doesn't matter whether she wins or loses, she has already broken a social stereotype."
Tajikistan: Female Boxer Breaks Stereotypes
Mavzuna Chorieva, a female boxer representing Tajikistan at the London Olympics, has moved to the semifinals of the lightweight tournament after eliminating China's Dong Cheng. She is now guaranteed a medal. Jasur Ashurov writes on Twitter: “Go Mavzuna! You have already broken major stereotypes about Tajik women, particularly female athletes.”
Tajikistan: Legality of Government Military Operation Questioned
On his blog, Tajik journalist Salim Ayubzod questions [tj] the legality of the recent military operation launched by the government in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan's easternmost province. Ayubzod also argues that the government had failed to think through possible outcomes of the violent intervention.
