Global Voices

English

The world is talking, are you listening?

The blog, An Armenian Journalist Notes, posts about a letter from a collective group of Armenian students addressing their frustration and disappointment about recent events involving the extradition of Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani military officer serving a life sentence for killing Armenian military officer Gurgen Margaryan in 2004 while both were in Hungary. The note, which also contained signatures from the students, questions Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on his country's European values and morality given that the murder was driven by ethnic hatred.

Baku Views, a blog on economic commentary and opinion from Azerbaijan reflects on a recent NY Times column by Paul Krugman on Europe's dependence on Russian energy, noting that with its gas pipelines projects, Azerbaijan could be an alternative, reliable energy partner. In its opening notes, the blog also compares America's sliding approval rating of  Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with Azerbaijan giving up on expecting Armenia to withdraw forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

During construction to one of Tbilisi's main streets, parts of a 5th century fortress used to defend the city were unearthed. The Young Georgians has a series of photos of the remarkable discovery, which appears on Georgian cartographer Vakkshuti's map of the capital from 1735.

Life in the Caucasus, a blog by Peace Corps volunteer John, posts reflections on Armenia as his service comes to an end after two years. The blog summarizes a few key points and opinions on how Armenia's potential is often clouded by the country acting as its own worst enemy, including the national psyche when it comes to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Mount Ararat and distrust for one another that has led to corruption and apathy. Amid foreign aid and diasporan remittances,  it also notes the large lack of self-sufficiency Armenia is faced with.