Latest posts by Ben Paarmann
Afghanistan: Debunking myths
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
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: Hostage crisis
In the latest developments of the Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan, Eugene Echo reports that another female hostage was picked to be released today.
Afghanistan: Glass half full or half empty?
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...
Mongolia: Street children
Bonnie Boyd links to a Worldvision video documenting the plight of Mongolian street children.
Kyrgyzstan: Legalise prostitution?
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.
Afghanistan: Sabotaging a radio station
Sanjar reports that during a fight with government troops, Taliban fighters destroyed a radio station in the Wardak province.
Armenia: Racist graffiti
Both Onnik Krikorian and Tirami Su find the recent surge of racist graffiti in Yerevan disgusting.
Armenia: Smoking waste
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
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
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!”
Tajikistan: No more tangems
Vadim notes that Chinese minivans that have become popular means of transportation in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe recently are being banned by the local government.
Uzbekistan: Are dogs enemies?
Jamiyat says that Uzbeks don't hate dogs, despite recent media coverage claiming the contrary.
Uzbekistan: Helping Russia
Jamiyat writes that Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov has helped Russia win its bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Uzbekistan: Getting a Tajik visa
Joshua Kucera writes about his ordeal of trying to get a Tajik visa in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent.
Kyrgystan: SCO summit and no beer
Asel writes that central supermarkets in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek are not selling any alcohol ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit slated to take place next week.
Afghanistan: Civilian casualties in Helmand
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
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...
Afghanistan: Journalist detained and released
Sanjar reports that Kabul-based journalist Kamran Mirhazar got detained by the NDS special police, but was released last night. In custody, Kamran was told only to write in favour of the government.
Kyrgyzstan: SCO summit
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
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.