Stories from 19 December 2007
Kyrgyzstan: “I don’t believe” arrests
Bektour Iskender posts an article about participants of the “I don’t believe” action that have been arrested for protesting against the official results of the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan.
Afghanistan: Taliban in 2007
Joshua Foust is discussing the most significant events of 2007 for Afghanistan, highlighting the entrenchment of the rise of the Taliban.
Tajikistan: Bread Prices
Ian looks back at 2007 in Tajikistan and says that the hottest issue by far being discussed was the rise in the price of staple foods, especially bread.
Central Asia: 2007 in Retrospect
Martha Brill Olcott reviews the major developments in Central Asia in 2007, pointing out trends in all five post-Soviet republics.
Kyrgyzstan: The Tulip Revolution’s Bitter Blooms
Nathan reviews the outcomes of the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan, including conclusion of the OSCE monitors, official results, reactions of the state bodies and the public.
Tajikistan: Hydropower Delayed
Bboyd reports that the launch of Tajikistan’s big hydropower plant is delayed again due to lack of concrete deliveries.
China: Netizens Want More Government Control?
Fons from China Herald links to a report done by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in which 41% wants more political control in the cyberspace.
El Salvador: Top Ten Religion Stories in 2007
Carlos X. Colorado provides a guest article on Tim's El Salvador Blog and lists the top 10 religion stories in El Salvador for 2007.
China: Group Rentals
Nan Yang from Virtual China blogs about the impact of Shanghai regulation against group renting to ordinary people and the fact that such regulation maybe illegal in nature.
Mexico: In a Cab with a Wrestling Mask
Still in Mexico City, Juan Pablo Meneses of Cronicas Argentinas [es] tells a story of his first experience taking a taxi in the capital city, which included a colorful wrestling mask. =
Argentina: Train Strike By Workers from Three Lines
Un Grano En El Orto [es] announces a protest march by workers from three train lines in Buenos Aires, Argentina in order to announce a full strike on December 27.
Peru: The Purchase WONG Supermarkets
A Chilean company recently purchased the Peruvian supermarket chain WONG. Juan Sheput of Mate Pastor [es] writes about some possible implications for the country.
Guatemala: Blogger Gathering in Western Guatemala
Blog Cachacero [es] writes about a blogger gathering in western Guatemala and included a trip to the game room in order to “break the ice.”
El Salvador: Notes on the Police Force
Solavá of Hora Cero [es] provides some notes about police in El Salvador including the figure that there are more lawyers, than police. In addition, nearly 1,900 officers are facing expulsion.
Costa Rica: Reviewing Educational Standards in Universities
Juan Carlos Hidalgo thinks that public universities in Costa Rica should take a look at their own educational standards [es], instead of just focusing on private universities.
Russia: Attacks on Ingushetia.ru
Window on Eurasia reports on the attacks on Ingushetia.ru, a site that “often reports news about conditions [in Ingushetia] that the authorities do not want covered.”
Russia: “Don Putin”
Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog is reminded of Godfather as he reads about “Putin’s acceptance to be Prime Minister if his protege Dima becomes President.”
Russia: Rosstat vs Kremlinologists
Russia in the Media cites statistics to prove that two “brave Kremlinologists” engaged in “manipulations with numbers,” as they worked on a Russia piece for the International Herald Tribune.
Russia: Politics and Style
James of Robert Amsterdam's blog reviews recent coverage of “the marriage of Russia's emerging political culture and style.”
Russia: Putin on Modern Warfare
Vladimir Putin appears, sort of, on Modern Warfare video game, James of Robert Amsterdam's blog reports.
Russia: New York Times’ Coverage
Perspectives on the New Russia updates a recent post on the New York Times’ coverage of Russia.