Ben Paarmann

Latest posts by Ben Paarmann

Afghanistan: Debunking myths

  16 August 2007

Afghan President Karzai criticised the kidnapping of women (of the Korean hostage group) as un-Islamic and un-Afghan. Blogger Mohammad Fahim Khairy disagrees and says that during most of Afghanistan's recent history, women were treated badly and also got kidnapped.

Kyrgyzstan: Chinese Flattery

  15 August 2007

Kyrgyz Report reports that now that the Chinese delegation has arrived in Kyrygzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, the Kyrygz president Kurmanbek promptly signed a declaration that Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China. Mirsulzhan Namazaliev comments: “I think President Bakiev hasn't even understood what he signed, as he...

Afghanistan: Glass half full or half empty?

  15 August 2007

In describing the situation in Afghanistan, Barnett R. Rubin argues that it does not matter if the glass is half full or half empty: “The Afghan glass may be half full, a tenth full, or near to overflowing. But it is standing on a very rickety table in an earthquake...

Kyrgyzstan: Legalise prostitution?

  15 August 2007

Asel discusses whether one should legalise or ban prostitution in Kyrgyzstan. On his blog, Mirsulzhan argues for legalisation, and on Genderstan, Anna compares the situation in Kyrgyzstan with examples from Western countries.

Armenia: Smoking waste

  14 August 2007

Anahide writes about a dump site outside of Yerevan, where unrecycled waste is slowly burning and releases toxic emissions. Thomas of Follow the Way took some pictures of the site.

Kazakhstan: Building a tent

  14 August 2007

Michael Hancock finds “Khan Shatyr” to be a manifestation of the widening gap between rich and poor in Kazakhstan: the huge tent which is being built in the capital Astana at the moment will mainly cater to a growing, but essentially small elite.

Kyrgyzstan: SCO summit

  14 August 2007

Bonnie Boyd writes a comprehensive update on developments in the run-up to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit to take place in Kyrgyzstan this week. Meanwhile, Azamat is upset that he can neither buy nor order alcohol in central Bishkek anymore: “Absurdistan!”

Afghanistan: Civilian casualties in Helmand

  10 August 2007

The US argues that by fighting from civilian compounds, the Taliban are responsible for the death of innocent people in the Helmand province. That is short of blaming the victims, thinks The Stragegist. Meanwhile, Afghanistan Watch reports that a British commander has criticised the US for not changing its strategy...

Afghanistan: Ex-Taliban

  10 August 2007

The My State Failure Blog, written by Péter Marton, sheds some light on two “ex-Taliban” in the Uruzgan province. One of them has a particular problem: “Have you ever had nightmares about people on the street looking at you weirdly because of there being a Wikipedia article on you, which...

Kyrgyzstan: SCO summit

  9 August 2007

The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will send their heads of state to Kyrgyzstan next week. While the Kyrgyz bloggers are amazed by the beautification of their capital ahead of the summit, Western bloggers ponder the significance of the SCO's growth.

Armenia: World Bank responds

  9 August 2007

Confronted with allegations of corruption, the World Bank has now written a formal reply to Armenian blogger Onnik Krikorian. Onnik, however, thinks the Bank should launch an official and open investigation into the cause if it does not have anything to hide.