· September, 2011

Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from September, 2011

Afghanistan: Donor dependence

  30 September 2011

Nick Fielding writes that the US and other donors have provided 90 per cent of Afghanistan's public expenditures in 2006-2010. With the 2014 target date for the withdrawal of US troops, the question is how the government in Kabul would fund its security forces, who use up the lion's share...

Uzbekistan: Exiled opposition member murdered

  30 September 2011

Avicenna reports that one of the most active members of the Uzbek opposition in exile Fuad Rustamkhojaev was assasinated in Ivanovo, a Western Russian town where he lived for the last 6 years. The victim's colleagues are outraged by the brutality, blaming the political regime in Uzbekistan for the murder.

Uzbekistan: Violations of religious freedom

  30 September 2011

Mansurhon reviews the speech by Uzbekistan's expert and rights activist regarding violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief in this country. The speech, delivered at the Annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meetng, warns that these violations represent a serious risk to Uzbekistan’s future.

Kyrgyzstan: Pushing for the state language in campaign

  30 September 2011

murzaki writes about the Kyrgyz language test, which is a part of the presidential candidates registration in Kyrgyzstan. Some observers believe this exam may be a tool of screening away unwanted politicians, but it probably also marks the start of politicization of the state language issue.

Armenia: Punishing homophobia

  22 September 2011

Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that a regional tour company has announced that it will not be sponsoring or advertising on Radio Van, a local radio station accused of spreading hate-speech and homophobia in the country.

Afghanistan: Taliban propaganda on the internet

  19 September 2011

Nick Fielding writes about Taliban's presence on the internet with public relations accounts in popular social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as well as videos disseminated through cellphones in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Local police units failing

  19 September 2011

Nick Fielding reviews a new Human Rights Watch report on the creation of the Afghan Local Police last summer, noting that impunity-driven militias participated in murderous tribal vendettas, targeted killings, smuggling, extortion and rapes.

Kyrgyzstan: Intelligence cooperation with China

  19 September 2011

Marat Sartpaev ponders on the fact that top officers of the Kyrgyz special service paid a visit to China in an attempt to set up cooperation ties and, probably, bargain for the closer international partners’ attention.

Azerbaijan: Caspian Dreaming…

  11 September 2011

Aaron in Azerbaijan posts a well-produced music video by two of his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, singing under the name of the Caspian Dreamers, ahead of next year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the capital, Baku. The blog says that while Azerbaijan faces some serious...

Tajikistan: The country in its 20

  9 September 2011

Christian Bleuer is analyzing the newest history of Tajikistan – both its internal politics and its geopolitical stand – as this country marks the 20th anniversary of its independence.

Uzbekistan: Journalists face dress-code restrictions

  9 September 2011

Tomyris reports that Uzbekistan, “a leader in the field of media censorship”, is imposing a new limitation to journalists. The female reporters seen on Uzbek state television will be seen only in a conservative manner – that means no skin exposure in inappropriate places.

About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage

Nurbek Bekmurzaev
Nurbek Bekmurzaev is the Central Asia editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Arzu Geybullayeva
Arzu Geybullayeva is the South Caucasus editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.