Stories about Azerbaijan from January, 2008
Azerbaijan: Something Fishy
After posting about fish swimming up water pipes and clogging up faucets, Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog now posts a photograph of the culprits.
Russia: Kasyanov and Invalid Signatures
Mark MacKinnon writes about Mikhail Kasyanov's failed attempt to run for president and provides “an incomplete list of the invalid signatures phenomenon in post-Soviet elections.”
Caucasus: Polarized Politics
This being the year of elections in the South Caucasus, Marilisa Lorusso's Blog says that reasoned political debate has given way to aggression and a polarized environment that will be difficult to reconcile later. The post also rounds up the latest election-related news from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Azerbaijan: Children's Show
An American in Azerbaijan says that he is becoming increasingly frustrated by working with a local television station on a show for children. Exasperated by a tight deadline, the blogger says that his work is frustrated by a “lack of vision” from ANS TV.
Azerbaijan: Ethnic Novelist
Window on Eurasia says that a book by ethnic Azerbaijani author Eduard Bagirov is causing a stir as a best seller throughout the Russian Federation. In particular, notes the blog, Bagirov's books generally examines the “extraordinary difficulties Azerbaijanis and other non-Russians living in the Russian capital now face in trying...
Azerbaijan: Fashion Trends
Leigh’s new adventure in Azerbaijan takes a look at trends in fashion in the former Soviet republic. In particular, the blog notes, women are significantly more stylish and less conservative than men.
Caucasus: High Speed Internet
Social Science in the Caucasus says that 3 percent of Georgians have Internet access at home, but that it's quality leaves something to be desired. While Azerbaijan has the fastest download speed in the region, the Caucasus still lags behind the developed world.
Azerbaijan: Living is Easy?
Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog says that life in Azerbaijan during the winter isn't so easy, but it is interesting. The two PCVs describe living through the cold season in the land of fire.
Azerbaijan: Analyzing Black January
Asking Tough Questions in Tough Places analyzes another blog post on the 18th anniversary of Black January in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: The Day the Soviet Union Died
Window on Eurasia remembers the events and circumstances surrounding Black Friday, 20 January 1990, when Soviet troops went on the rampage in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. The blog says the event marked the end of the former Soviet Union.
Azerbaijan: Funeral Rites
Leigh’s new adventure in Azerbaijan reflects on the funeral rites and customs practiced in the country.
Armenia: Azerbaijani Response
Blogian says that the Azerbaijani media as well as parliamentarians have responded to the blogger establishing a website and blog detailing the destruction of an ancient Armenian cemetery in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan.
Armenia: Ethnic Hatred
The Armenian Observer posts a digest of translated excerpts from blog posts examining ethnic hatred between Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Turks.
Azerbaijan: Economic Illumination
Window on Eurasia ponders whether studying images of former Soviet republics at night can't provide an insight into their economic well-being. If it can, the blog says, economic growth in Azerbaijan far outstrips that in neighboring Armenia and Georgia.
Azerbaijan: Urban Renewal
Baku Fragments reports that the Bakı Soveti metro station has been demolished and that a more modern looking structure will take its place. However, the blog says that it isn't much in favor of destroying what it admits represents the “nightmarish, bureaucratic mess” of the Soviet era.
Georgia: Revolutionary Spirit
As thousands of Georgians again protest in the capital, Tbilisi, against the outcome of last weekend's presidential election, Marilisa Lorusso's Blog comments on the opinion of one analyst in neighboring Armenia that the tradition of the country is more “revolutionary.” The blog says that the same opinion is shared in...
Nagorno Karabakh: Ultimatum
Blogian reacts harshly to news that the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, has issued an ultimatum to ethnic Armenians living in the breakaway and self-declared Republic of Nagorno Karabakh — submit once again to Azerbaijani authority or leave.
Former Soviet Union: Diasporas
Windows on Eurasia writes about the impact of post-Soviet diasporas.
Azerbaijan: Benazir Bhutto
Marilisa Lorusso's blog sounds a warning following the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. In Azerbaijan, for example, the potential rise of Islamic fundamentalism is very real which is why the blog says there has been very little discussion of other possibilities for who might be responsible for her...
