Global Voices Online

“Another monument to fiscal indiscipline by our government is installed in the name of national pride”: KnowTnT.com still can't get over the cost of the flag in the National Stadium.

Along the Malecon reports that supporters of Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez are “hoping to start a trend” by “using the blogger's photo as their profile picture on Facebook in a show of solidarity.”

“Jamaica's government kicked up a terrific stink with Standard and Poor's (S&P) after the rating agency again downgraded the country's debt”: Living in Barbados wonders how “Barbados' normally more polite and circumspect politicians” will react to more downgrades.

Alexander Visotzky writes about the opening of a monument in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, where the authorities uncovered a 15-foot high bronze statue of incumbent president Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Dafydd reports that the EU has lifted the arms embargo on Uzbekistan. Reasons given are abolishment of the death penalty and release of political prisoners.

Bilguun watched the change of the government in Mongolia, starting from resignation of S.Bayar under health reasons, nomination of Su.Batbold (then Minister of Foreign Relations) and his instatement.

Ahad Abdurahmon reflects on the issue why democracy is failing in Kyrgyzstan, a country which was so promising?

Nick Fielding reflects on the the question of who is running the so-called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and who are the members of the so-called the Quetta Shura, the Taliban's leadership.