Global Voices Online

Maciula recollects about the fifth anniversary of failed - and highly controversial - assasination attempt against the first leader of Turkmenistan, despotic and notorious Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, and reflect if there are hazards for the new president.

Bahas on political psyche and the tried and tested method of sticking with status quo in Nepal.

Vadim points out that, according to the United Nation's Development Program, Tajikistan has the worst indices of human development among the former Soviet states.

Asel reports that president of Kyrgyzstan Bakiev has dismissed his prime-minister, who heads the rival party ahead of parliamentary elections.

Maciula opines on the increase in Turkmen gas prices for Russia, saying that the new president Berdymukhammedov’s pragmatic policy starts bringing results.

KZBlog is pondering over the Madrid OSCE Ministerial Council's decision to grant Kazakhstan with the right to chair in the Organization in 2010.

Bboyd reports that the World Bank announced the approval of a new loan to Kazakhstan for developing better customs procedures, which may further develop trade in the Central Asian region.

Bboyd says that in view of the fact that UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon has designated 2008 as the Year of Water Sanitation, the Central Asian states could use it to their benefit.

Joshua Foust analyzes the controversies and debates over the Kazakhstan's bid to chair the OSCE, despite poor human rights and democracy record in this Central Asian country.