Latest posts by Adil Nurmakov
Afghanistan: Taliban propaganda on the internet
Nick Fielding writes about Taliban's presence on the internet with public relations accounts in popular social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as well as videos disseminated through cellphones in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Local police units failing
Nick Fielding reviews a new Human Rights Watch report on the creation of the Afghan Local Police last summer, noting that impunity-driven militias participated in murderous tribal vendettas, targeted killings, smuggling, extortion and rapes.
Kazakhstan: Forbes magazine franchise launched
Tomyris informs that Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s wealthiest country, welcomes the prominent business Forbes magazine to its list of available medias.
Kyrgyzstan: Intelligence cooperation with China
Marat Sartpaev ponders on the fact that top officers of the Kyrgyz special service paid a visit to China in an attempt to set up cooperation ties and, probably, bargain for the closer international partners’ attention.
Afghanistan: The country's relations with China
Nasim Fekratْ looks into the historic background and current state of Afghan-Chinese political, trade and economic relationships.
Tajikistan: The country in its 20
Christian Bleuer is analyzing the newest history of Tajikistan – both its internal politics and its geopolitical stand – as this country marks the 20th anniversary of its independence.
Uzbekistan: Journalists face dress-code restrictions
Tomyris reports that Uzbekistan, “a leader in the field of media censorship”, is imposing a new limitation to journalists. The female reporters seen on Uzbek state television will be seen only in a conservative manner – that means no skin exposure in inappropriate places.
Uzbekistan: Opposition in exile gets more active
Abulfazal says that the emerging oppositional movement of Uzbekistan citizens in exile has took its shape as the People’s Movement of Uzbekistan (PMU) with branches in Canada, Sweden and Norway.
Turkmenistan: Challenges for education
Annasoltan talks with a professional teacher in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, about education’s challenges in this country, from shifting generational and cultural values to corruption in the schools.
Kazakhstan: Bloggers Denounce Repeated Blockage of LiveJournal
On August 19, 2011, the largest Russophone blogging platform LiveJournal was blocked in Kazakhstan, less than a year after access to it was re-opened in fall of 2010. This intrusion of the state into virtual life, has stirred up the blogosphere.
Tajikistan: Rahmon becomes Leader of XXI Century awardee — but who is awarding?
Abulfazal informs that Tajikistan president Emamoli Rahmon was awarded with the “Leader of XXI Century” prize for his cultural and political distinctions by the European Council on International Relations, barely known for its activities.
Turkmenistan: Government campaigns against satellite dishes
President Berdimuhammedov has declared satellite dishes a stain on the cityscape of Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan— but is it just a ploy to curtail the seeping influence of outside media, ponders Tomyris.
Turkmenistan: A veteran’s view of the country's music scene
Annasoltan interviews a veteran of the Turkmen music scene to explore the last 20 years of artistic development in Turkmenistan.
Uzbekistan: Another anti-presidential movement emerged
Mansurhon reports on yet another campaign that wants Uzbekistan president’s resignation, as a few activists from different regions of Uzbekistan announced a new organization to oppose the regime.
Mongolia: Higher visitors cause major traffic jams
Bilguun writes about the visits of president of South Korea and US vice-president Joe Biden to Mongolia – both in one day – causing major roadblocks and traffic jams across the nation's capital city.
Afghanistan: RAND's plans for Afghan peace talks
Nick Fielding reviews a new report from the RAND Corporation, which analyzes the prospects of orchestrating a negotiation process between the government and with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan: Controversy Over State Language Promotion
In early August 2011, the Ministry of Culture of Kazakhstan developed a draft law to introduce some amendments into the state's language policy. It was quickly labeled by many observers as a move to further reduce the scope of use of the Russian language, which enjoys equal status with the Kazakh language, according to the Constitution.
Uzbekistan: Business will pay for “exemplary mahallas”
Abulfazal writes that the Uzbek government project on creation of so-called “exemplary mahallas” (communities) is turning into a campaign of forcing the local businessmen to finance infrastructure upgrades and renovations.
Afghanistan: Suicide bomber murders Kandahar mayor
Una Moore reports that a suicide bomber killed Ghulam Haider Hamidi, mayor of Kandahar town in Afghanistan, as the Taliban have reportedly claimed responsibility for the assassination.
Afghanistan: Remembering the fallen strivers
Una Moore reminds the readers that Javaid Zeerak, brilliant Afghan aid worker, blogger and photographer, died in July last year. Very little is known about the accident, while grief and questions still linger.
Tajikistan: Minors prohibited from visiting places of religious worship
Avicenna says that minors in Tajikistan are prohibited from going to mosques, churches and sinagogues, as the parliament have unanimously approved a bill “On the responsibility of parents for their children’s upbringing and education”.
