· April, 2008

Stories about Azerbaijan from April, 2008

Armenia: Djulfa

  26 April 2008

Blogian comments on a recent interview given by a former presidential candidate in Armenia on the destruction of an ancient Armenian cemetary in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan. The blog says that while the eradication of Djulfa should not result in Armenia pulling out of peace talks with Azerbaijan to...

Azerbaijan: Seki

  20 April 2008

Exerro continues its journey through Azerbaijan with a fleeting visit to an observatory included. The travel blog says that despite the depressing relics and environmental damage of the Soviet era, the country is beautiful. In particular, the 17th or 18th century caravanserai hotel in Seki was a wonderful surprise. The...

Azerbaijan: Peace Corps FAQ

  17 April 2008

Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog posts an entry answering the most common questions received from readers ranging from inquiries about computer access to attitudes towards single and married women. Intriguingly, concerns about the availability of can openers in Azerbaijan also makes the list.

Nagorno Karabakh: Human Rights Ombudsperson

  17 April 2008

Unzipped commends the breakaway and self-declared Republic of Nagorno Karabakh for electing its first human rights ombudsperson. Although some concerns still remain with regards to figures working in an official capacity, the blog says that recent experience in Armenia has shown that such positions are necessary for democratic development as...

Caucasus: Development Index

  16 April 2008

Social Science in the Caucasus examines statistics used to determine the performance of Armenia and Azerbaijan by the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Three main policy categories — namely, Ruling Justly, Investing in People, and Economic Freedom — are examined. While the blog says that Georgia is showing progress, the two other...

Azerbaijan: Cuisine

  6 April 2008

Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog introduces its readers to Azerbaijani cuisine. Although the blog says that the nutritional value of many of the meals on offer is questionable it concludes that there are some “real treasures in the country” and provides a culinary tour of some of them.

Azerbaijan: Taza Mosque

  6 April 2008

An American in Azerbaijan pays a village to the Taza Mosque in Baku. Built in the early 1900s, the mosque is currently undergoing restoration in an area of the Azerbaijani capital that few foreigners visit.

Caucasus: Geopolitical Railroads

Window on Eurasia says that while oil and gas pipelines through the region attract more attention, railroads might have more geopolitical significance. In particular, the blog examines what plans for a new railroad linking Iran and Azerbaijan might mean, and not least on Russian and NATO interests in Eurasia as...

Azerbaijan: Weak Regime Index

  1 April 2008

Social Science in the Caucasus comments on the latest Brookings Index of State Weakness which ranks 141 countries according to their weakness as states. The blog examines why Azerbaijan is considered the weakest of the three South Caucasus republics.