The situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. Another opposition leader has told of her travails and worries for her health if she is not allowed to leave the country and the governor of the country's central bank has announced a crackdown on illegal fuel dealers in hopes of stemming one source of the country's rampant inflation. […]
Mongolia's strong relationship with Japan received a new boost this month when Japan announced a new USD 1.5 million project to aid urban migrants in Bayanhogar, Choyr, and Erdenat. Mongolia's population has been urbanizing rapidly. Many of these new urbanites live in temporary settlements and need employment and business opportunities. Japan's new grant provides funds, technical support and guidance […]
Robert Mugabe threatens to expel diplomats who, in his estimation provide “support” for the opposition. Sean McCormick, a spokesman for the State Department, declares that the United States holds Mugabe “personally responsible” for attacks on opposition leaders. Mugabe increasingly relies on “hit squads” to carry out his dirty work. Zimbabwe's judiciary still hints at independence […]
Several development banks have recently come to Tajikistan, planning to invest in Tajikstan's energy security‚ which Tajikistan really needs. Last year, energy distribution problems precipitated a closure of Dushanbe's bakeries; the resulting bread riot (really a woman's sit-down demonstration) underscored the past-due need for energy infrastructure investment in Tajikistan. At neweurasia.net, Gulru has written this winter has been […]
This past Sunday's New York Times travel section featured Africa. It includes pieces on West Africa, featuring Senegal, night-time in South Africa's Mountain Zebra National Park, and following the path of David Livingstone's quest for what would come to be known as Victoria Falls as well as much more.
See this map of bird migration patterns, courtesy of BBC: then imagine that these lines are kind of blurred, because birds, after all, do not read maps and do not march in single file. Instead, these lines demarcate a range of individual flights that are a little more widespread. Then consider that birds bypass whole […]
Thabo Mbeki recently wrote in ANC Today about the links between the role that crime plays in the country's psyche and the still percolating racism that simmers beneath the surface of the ociety. The country's whites too often ignore the connection. Money excerpt: “For this section of our population every reported incident of crime communicates the frightening and expected […]
Cape Town mayor Hellen Zille has announced that she will be running for the Democratic Alliance's (DA) national leadership title, which will then put her in place to be the DA's candidate for the presidency. Zille hopes to replace Tony Leon, who announced last year that he would not seek another term as party leader. Zille […]
The impact of President Bush's Mexico visit remains to be seen, but while some are hopeful for immigration reform and increased emphasis on the region during the remainder of his presidency, expectations are not very high. Though some see Mexican President Calderon as a potential counter to leftist Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, it is not […]
One strength of the English language has been its incredible ability to assimilate any noun from any language–and then, through mispronunciation, claim it for itself. This characteristic is undisputably useful, but can also institutionalize translation errors. The yurt is not a yurt. Yurt means “homeland”. Wikipedia says: In Kazakh (and Uyghur) the term for the structure is kiyiz uy (úøіÃ· үù‚ lit. […]
Constitutional Crisis to Prime Minister Crisis, continued. . . . Though the first two assassinations of legislators were alarming, the third execution, of Akmatbaev, has been the most troublesome for Kyrgyzstan's domestic order. During the incident, after Mr. Akmatbaev had been killed, Prime Minister Kulov came to the prison and negotiated the release of hostages […]
Simply put, Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution of March, 2005, saw the ouster of President Akaev for one political and two economic reasons. Politically, he was consolidating the power of his presidency and weakening the legislature. Constitutionally-mandated term limits were extended under Akaev's rule. As Akaev neared the limit of his last extended term, he began grooming two […]
The situation in Zimbabwe is intensifying following a firebomb attack against the Marimba police camp in Harare by suspected opposition activists, most likely from the Movement for Democratic Change. The descent into violent response was probably inevitable. Even the most rightoeus opposition movement will only be able to resist through the political system for so long when […]
The cricket World Cup is underway. Among the African entrants: Kenya won its first match against Canada by seven wickets. Zimbabwe will face Ireland later today. South Africa will start things off against the Netherlands in a match they should win handily. The Proteas are one of the favorites, so most South African fans are torn […]
The news on AIDS from Africa is rarely good, and southern Africa usually offers the grimmest tidings. Nonetheless, the feedback from what is being billed as “the most representative HIV/AIDS meeting ever held in” South Africa hints that perhaps things will improve. The meeting, opened in Pretoria today, and will debate the new HIV/AIDS national strategic plan for […]