Latest posts by Adil Nurmakov from August, 2009
Kazakhstan: On the Efficacy of Government
How professional is the government? Is it rigorous enough in performing its functions? How often does it interfere in matters beyond its competence? These are among the most popular questions discussed in the Kazakh blogosphere. Izhanov writes a gloomy, ironic post on the “sensitive” subject of bidding in the process...
Kazakhstan: Journalist sentenced to jail
Sorge reports that Ramazan Yessergepov, chief editor of the independent newspaper, has been sentenced to three years in jail on charges of divulging state secrets.
Kazakhstan: Diplomat Accused of Being a Spy
As Adam reports, the British media alleged that a high-profile Kazakh diplomat may be expelled from Britain after it was revealed that top secret intelligence files suggest he is a KGB spy.
Kazakhstan: The resurrection of Vino
Dina reports that Kazakh sports fans celebrated the end of two-year suspension of famous cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov.
Uzbekistan: Women banned from mosques
Noah Tucker informs that after pressuring women for several months to stop attending mosque on Fridays, Bukhara authorities have officially prohibited them to go to mosques.
Turkmenistan: Students prevented from study abroad
Orazdurdy reports that Turkmen students studying at the American University in Central Asia (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) were rejected at airport en route to USA through U.S. State Dept. undergraduate program.
Afghanistan: Elections with better security, worse violations
Joshua Foust reviews the reports about presidential elections in Afghanistan, noting that security was much better than expected, though there are widespread indications of fraud.
Kazakhstan: Astana Cycling Team Survives Difficulties
KZBlog reports that after a period of financial difficulties, Team Astana released a statement that Alberto Contador, the two-time Tour de France winner, will stay in the team for one more year.
Afghanistan: Reportages on Children
Onne Parl offers a series of posts about children living in the provinces of Afghanistan, featuring a post about the place of religion in high school education, about regular school for street children and about life of kids in the traditional rural economy.
Afghanistan: Televised Presidential Debates
Safrang reviews the Afghanistan's presidential TV debates, organized by the the national TV (RTA) and radio RFE/RL. For the first time in history, the incumbent president together with two contenders were publicly responding to the questions and each other's criticism.
Afghanistan: Independence Day & Elections Eve
Safrang writes about celebration of Afghanistan's national holiday (that marks the occasion of its 90th independence anniversary from Great Britain after the 3rd Anglo-Afghan war) the day before the presidential elections.
Turkmenistan: Ministry of Education clamps down on students
Orazdurdy reports that dozens of students at Ashgabat (capital of Turkmenistan) airport were not allowed on board a plane heading to Almaty. This is the latest incident in a broader trend: hundreds of Turkmen students still cannot leave the country in pursuit of education abroad.
Uzbekistan: Worst Daughter in the World?
Timur comments on the Foreign Policy journal's rating of the worst presidential kids, in which the daughter of the Uzbekistan president was mentioned.
Kyrgyzstan: Crackdown on Uighur Protests
Joshua Foust tells that the Kyrgyzstan’s police detained two Uighur community leaders after they accused China of “state terrorism” at a rally.
Kazakhstan: A bit on KazAtomProm
Michael Hancock reflects on the scandalous case of the Kazkahstan's national nuclear company, whose top management was accused of wrongdoing and theft.
Afghanistan: Khost Comes Under Attack Again
Joshua Foust writes about new terrorist attacks of suicide bombers in Afghanistan, a week before the country's presidential vote.
Uzbekistan: Religion-related murder in Tashkent
Noah Tucker reports on a highly controversial killing in Uzbekistan, in which an Interior Ministry's agent was shot to death in his own apartment.
Afghanistan: A report someone didn't want you to read
Nick Fielding opines that the Britain's Parliamentary report on Afghanistan is strongly critical of the present government's policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tajikistan: Language is the key to national self-determination
Botur Kosimi comments on a recent bill in the Tajikistan parliament that concerns the status and role of the Tajik language in the nation.
Kazakhstan: Aktau Trip Travelogue
KZBlog presents a travelogue post (with pictures) about his trip to Aktau, a port and resort town on the Caspian Sea, west of Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan: Protests Against New Russian Base
Nathan Hamm notes that Uzbekistan is stepping up its criticism of Russia’s plan to open a second military base in Kyrgyzstan – near Uzbekistan’s border – by alleging that the new base would destabilize the region and provoke extremists.