In some ways, it's always better to think in terms of interlocking regions rather than states–and with Central Asia as a nexus of interlocked regions, it's most important. Right now, Pakistan is –depending on one's point of view–in more upheaval, or– determined to clamp down on upheaval for once and all. For Central Asia watchers, […]
This is a somewhat insouciant video, 8 minutes long, put out by Vice DVD, with maybe a little too much hipness for my taste (Can't believe I’d find something too hip, but there it is). If you object to casual cursing and the sound of people whooping as they shoot machine guns, then turn down […]
I’ve been out of town for several days, which explains the light posting. I plan to write a great deal, especially about South African politics, next week when I return. In the meantime, Desmond Tutu recently visited the editorial offices of The Boston Globe, and he argued that the recent successes of the Springboks also point the […]
Right now, there's a wealth of events and things to do concerning Central Asia and its partners in the world: and I’m always looking for more, so send them via comment. Most of the ones I know about are in the U.S. northeast. If there's an event elsewhere, on this continent or any other, I would […]
Today at the United Nations, Uzbekistan's Permanent Representative Mr. Alisher Vakhidov warned the international community not to interfere in Uzbekistani affairs under the pretext of human rights concerns. According the the RFE/RL report, Mr. Vakhidov said that international cooperation must be based upon “equality, mutual respect, social and economic development, and historical and cultural traditions.” […]
I regret that I haven't been writing recently on Afghanistan: especially since it's past time to write about trouble that aid workers are having in delivering food and services. Here are some aid statistics for the last ten months: — 34 aid workers have been killed. — Seventy-six have been abducted. –Fifty-five convoys have been attacked, by either […]
After writing on the untimely death–no, criminal assassination–of Mr. Alisher Saipov, I’m noticing the Return of a Theme: the continuing loss of a precariously-positioned free press in Central Asia. Here goes the round-up: Central Asia in General: One of the best English-language sources on Central Asia, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) , […]
Thabo Mbeki is currently visiting Namibia, where he was accorded the honor of speaking before that country's parliament and where he hoped to boost trade between the two countries and to reaffirm their special relationship. Mbeki and Namibian President Hifekepunye Pohamba oversaw the signing of three agreements, one on investment promotion and reciprocal investment protection, cooperation in the […]
According to UPI: after a tip, Interior Ministry police set up a roadblock to catch some armed criminals. They stopped a car with three opposition party officials instead. Shots were fired and uh, apologies made. Which brings me to the politics and elections currently up in Kyrgyzstan: Cruising for trouble: Ferghana.ru translated an ITAR-Tass editorial […]
It's making the rounds of the news: the death of another journalist in Central Asia. Mr. Alisher Saipov, an ethnic Uzbek journalist who lived in Kyrgyzstan, has been killed. He was 26 years old, and he was shot three times in the head and chest. Mr. Saipov had begun to print an independent newspaper in […]
In an effort to decrease violence and the flow of narcotics into the U.S., President Bush asked Congress this week for $500 million to help Mexico fight drug gangs at home. Bush has worked with President Calderon on the details of the plan, which would send to Mexico equipment such as surveillance aircraft, drug-detection gear, […]
The shocking murder of South African reggae star Lucky Dube has stunned South Africans and once again brought the issue of violent crime to the forefront of national debate. One of the common themes discussed even as mourners gathered to celebrate the life and work of a native son-turned global superstar and the accused wallowed […]
This feature on Thabo Mbeki's relationship with the media caught my eye this morning. Essentially the Mail & Guardian asked two prominent South African writers, William Gumede and Ronald Suresh Roberts, to assess that issue, and their independent conclusions are, I think, telling. Gumede believes that Mbeki brings most of his difficulties on himself. Roberts […]
Yesterday, I went to the Center for Strategic and International Studies to hear a talk from Steve LeVine, author of The Power and the Glory, about Caspian oil and pipelines–one of my favorite topics in the world, as I wrote my Master's thesis on it. Independently related, oil prices pushed to over USD 90 per barrel yesterday […]
This feature on Thabo Mbeki's relationship with the media caught my eye this morning. Essentially the Mail & Guardian asked two prominent South African writers, William Gumede and Ronald Suresh Roberts, to assess that issue, and their independent conclusions are, I think, telling. Gumede believes that Mbeki brings most of his difficulties on himself. Roberts […]