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08:50 msk, 26 may 2013

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Central Asia news

German airbase in Uzbekistan: Illegal market for German goods

08.05.2013 22:03 msk Business Politics Central Asia Uzbekistan

The Strategic Military and Transport Base of the Federative Republic of Germany is located in the Uzbek town of Termez near the Afghan border; its maintenance costs several tens of millions of euros a year. The Germans use this civilian airport as a “trampoline” into Afghanistan since late 2001. The base houses several hundreds of servicemen who provide logistics for dispatching and receiving aircraft with cargo and troops. The exact amount of money the German government spends on the base is unverifiable. On the other hand, the base does not only mean expenditures. Since early this year, the base has turned into a source of significant side income for the German soldiers and officers.

Islam Karimov and the Goldfish

18.03.2013 09:59 msk Analytics Ferghana Valley Politics Central Asia Afghanistan Uzbekistan

Several Uzbek mass media outlets unexpectedly started beating the war bells over the last several days. Alert! The motherland is in danger! Russian and Central Asian mass media outlets echoed said concerns in reprinted articles with hints of dysphoria. This time around the chief alarmist is Ubaydullo Hakimov, supposedly a “former law enforcing agency officer” and “currently a security expert.” “An unidentified analyses department officer” at the Uzbek national security service sings along: “Hey, get up! We are facing an unexpected danger! Damned IMU shall attack us any minute from beyond the Pamir Mountains! As soon as snow on mountain slopes melts and mountain paths reveal themselves, the hordes of armed cap-a-pie militants will stream into the Fergana Valley!”

Sait Nursi and Fethullah Gülen: Religious and educational activities between Turkey and Central Asia 20 years after the end of the USSR

27.01.2013 23:40 msk Analytics Religious life Central Asia

The so-called "Turkish schools" and lyceums came to Russia and CIS countries in early 1990s. Some of them were closed for various reasons and others continue thriving to date, having achieved fame and respect in the field of education. Fergana's editor in chief had a lengthy interview with the well-known researcher of Turkish Islamic groups, Mr. Bayram Balci, on the principles and ideas behind the movements inspired by Fethullah Gulen and Said Nursi. The interview also sheds light on the two-decade-long experience the schools gained in Central Asia.

Taliban comeback: Afghanistan anticipating and United States preparing while the CSTO watches

26.04.2012 00:44 msk Analytics Central Asia

A World economics and world politics club has discussed the situation in Afghanistan and implications for the Central Asia in order to identify some of the most likely regional scenarios following the scheduled withdrawal of the NATO troops from Afghanistan after 2014. The meeting attended by Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s special representative for Afghanistan and by Nikolay Borduzha, the secretary general of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)has been moderated by Fedor Lukyanov, the editor-in-chief of the “Russia in global politics” magazine.

Security forces speak of illegal network of extremist organizations in place in the Central Asia

09.12.2011 20:56 msk Politics Central Asia

Special security services of the CIS-member states acknowledge the presence of extremist organizations within the Central Asia. «We have to acknowledge the existence of illegal extremist organizations, active in the countries of Central Asia. Recent events in the north and south of Kazakhstan, as well as in the Rasht valley of Tajikistan have shown evidence of extremists’ intrusion from outside and creation of organized groups within the countries of Central Asia”, said Moldiyar Orozaliev, deputy chairman of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center, during consultations between representatives of security services and practical units combating terrorisms and extremism in the CIS-member states within the Central Asian region, held in Bishkek on the 9th of December.

OSCE PA Takes Up Discussion of Torture and Other Assaults on Human Rights in Its Member States

12.07.2011 10:24 msk Human Rights Central Asia

On July 6-9, parliamentarians from OSCE member states gathered together for the annual conference of its Parliamentary Assembly, which was held in Belgrade. Among several agenda items, some of them strictly dealing with the usual OSCE bureaucratic protocol, the human rights situation in countries of the former Soviet Union was featured prominently. Uta Zapf, OSCE PA’s Rapporteur on Belarus held a special briefing on the post-election crackdown in that country, where she invited Belarusian and Russian civil society activists. Kimmo Kiljunen, OSCE PA’s Representative on Central Asia, addressed the plenary session and later spoke at an NGO briefing about the results of the work the International Independent Commission for Inquiry into the interethnic violence which took place in southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010. Joining him at the briefing were NGOs and an anti-torture activist who urged eradication of torture in the OSCE area.

View Central Asia through the eyes of journalist Igor Rotar (photo-essay)

26.04.2011 10:40 msk Central Asia

Центральная Азия
Igor Rotar: Working in the States, I commonly answer numerous questions about the Central Asia asked by my American friends and ex-Russian citizens because I have long lived in the Central Asia and written a lot about it. These answers have come together in some kind of an essay that sums up at least a part of my impressions and perceptions, designed primarily for those who live far away from this region but keen to learn more about the Central Asia which experiences currently a difficult transition from the Soviet past towards the unclear and just vaguely outlined future.

Adeeb Khalid: To speak of “Islam” as a homogenous phenomenon is analogous to speaking of “Christianity” as a single whole

05.03.2011 19:07 msk Religious life Central Asia

How do we explain the political motivations of Muslims? Today when so much of the news concerns conflicts based in and around Muslim societies, the temptation is great to simply see all the causes of those conflicts and all motivations of the actors involved as emanating from Islam itself. The motivations of Muslims are then seen as simply internally defined having no connection with the world that they are part of. Then we can safely proceed to the conclusion that all Muslims are alike because they all take their inspiration from the same scriptures, and they all represent a danger to “us.” This is the path taken by Mikhail Kalishevskii in his recent article on this site, and this is the argument of many commentators from the right (and not just the right) in Europe and North America. Simplification has its virtues, but does it help us understand a reality that is much more complex than such arguments make it seem? Can the actions of Muslims really understood only with reference to their religion? Can the most extreme expressions be taken as proof of the basic essence of global community? I raised some of these questions in my recent book, Islam after Communism: Religion and Politics in Central Asia (University of California Press, 2007), and present some of my arguments below.

International Crisis Group: The infrastructure of Central Asian countries is steadily disappearing

11.02.2011 13:14 msk Analytics Central Asia

The infrastructure in the republics of Central Asia is steadily disappearing: the roads, power plants, hospitals, and schools and the last generation of Soviet-trained specialists who have kept this all running. These are conclusions, presented in the report of International Crisis Group (ICG): "Central Asia – Decay and Decline". In the opinion of authors, collapsing infrastructure could bring down with it enfeebled regimes, creating enormous uncertainty in one of the most fragile parts of the world.

Come out of the shade. The photographers from Central Asia and Southern Caucasus are invited to participate in "Documentary photography"

03.11.2010 15:16 msk Arts Central Asia

Open Society Institute announced new project for the photographers from Central Asia, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Pakistan and South Caucasus. The photographers, selected as program finalists, will receive the grant in the amount of 3.5 thousand US dollars; in addition, they will be presented the equipment and software for creation of multimedia projects, led by worldwide known mentors (professional photographers). "Documentary photography" is interested in the projects, covering the rights and life conditions of people from Central Asia and South Caucasus. The details are available in Ferghana.Ru article as well as interview with Valery Kaliev, the funding recipient (2009) and photo correspondent of Karaganda-based Novyi Vestnik.

Islam Karimov & Co are the ones radicalising Central Asia

18.01.2010 22:58 msk Interview Central Asia

Over the past decade and a half, the regimes in Central Asia have with the help of labels such as ‘extremist’ and ‘terrorist’ practically exterminated all opposition. “But by imprisoning and torturing thousands, the dictators in Central Asia are creating a time bomb of discontent”, says the Danish journalist Michael Andersen, “and unfortunately, the West is looking the other way”. Andersen who has covered Central Asia for many years, has just finished his latest film ‘The Myth of Religious Extremism in Central Asia’. The film will be shown on the channel Aljazeera English from this Wednesday, and can also be seen on the channel’s website. Fergana.ru interviews Michael Andersen about his latest project. “The heroes of the film are the incredibly courageous human rights defenders and journalists who stand up to the regimes, often risking their own lives”, says the Danish journalist, “I think we all know who the villains are”.

Two years of pain and weakness without Alisher

26.10.2009 15:50 msk Central Asia

Two years ago on October 24, 2007 Alisher Saipov, the independent journalist and the publisher of Siesat (Politics) newspaper, was shot in the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan. He was shot by a killer while waiting for taxi. The impertinent murder shocked not only small republic but also produced international protest. During his short professional life the son from simple family worked for several international news agencies. Two years later one can state that investigation of big crime made no progress while the real motives of the murder will be hardly ever announced to the public.

Ferghana.Ru: 10 years of news-wire

17.08.2009 14:17 msk Ferghana Valley Central Asia

"Tajik-Uzbek relations are exacerbating again. The reason is the bomb strike, caused by Uzbek air force to the objects in Tajikistani territory. On the other hand, the escalation of conflict is not expected…" This is not current news, but the piece of events, which took place in August of 1999. The Ferghana.Ru news line was launched by the republication of Moscow-based Kommersant news 10 years ago. At that time Ferghana.Ru was not full-scale information agency. This was amateur web-site that was made and edited by single person. In fact, the web-site of Ferghana society had been launched in RUnet one year earlier in the autumn of 1998. On July 23, 1999 the visitors were already able to access Ferghana.Ru. In August of 1999 "the Batken events" immediately made Ferghana valley known all over the world.

Central Asian republics remained the same status in a row of Not free states

04.05.2009 10:14 msk Analytics Central Asia

Freedom House released Freedom of the Press 2009 report which identifies the greatest threats to independent media in 195 countries and territories. The report shows a seventh straight year of decline in global media freedom, with twice as many losses than gains. There are particularly worrisome trends in East Asia, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East and North Africa. Central Asian and Middle Eastern states showed no improvements and remained the same status in a row of Not free states.

Examination of allies: What side of the fence will Moscow take in the water dispute?

22.04.2009 12:38 msk Analytics Central Asia

Problematic and complicated in the first place, relations between Central Asian presidents may take another quixotic turn at the summit in late April. Three Central Asian republic are expected to present a unified position on construction of major water-control objects in nearby countries. Since it was Uzbekistan alone that always objected to construction of hydroelectric power plants on the rivers of the region until now, importance of the forthcoming summit becomes apparent. Even Moscow, the capital of Russia, will have to choose sides in the dispute.

Other news

News briefs

23 may

20:31 The US base to leave Kyrgyzstan – security expert

22 may

22:04 Kyrgyz MPs finish investigating “early release” of criminal notoriety

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Media headlines

Al Jazeera Guantanamo prisoners allege widespread abuse, 23.05.2013

Centralasiaonline Uzbekistan courts foreign investment, 23.05.2013

Eurasiareview Pakistan Elections: Imran Khan Down, But Not Out , 23.05.2013

The Hindu India to explore possibility of getting uranium from Uzbekistan, 22.05.2013

Eurasianet Turkmenistan: Arkadag’s Day at the Races Redux, 22.05.2013

US Department of State Release of the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, 21.05.2013

Right Side News The Enemy Among Us – Even in Idaho, 21.05.2013

Forum 18 KAZAKHSTAN: Pentecostal jailed for 2 months pre-trial, Baptist gets 3-days jail, atheist still in psychiatric hospital, 21.05.2013

Net Indian Hamid Ansari to visit Uzbekistan from May 21-24, 20.05.2013

Boston Globe Women’s rights legislation is stymied in Afghanistan, 19.05.2013

TOL Karimova gets schooled in Twitter debate, 18.05.2013

Sharnoffs Global Views Umarov: My Vision for Uzbekistan, 17.05.2013

Deseret News Man who allegedly taught bomb making in Utah arrested in terrorism case, 17.05.2013

Eurasianet Kyrgyzstan: News Site Unblocked, Yet Still Illegal, 08.05.2013

BBC Bakhtiyar Hamrayev: Tributes paid to Uzbek activist , 07.05.2013

World Bulletin Uzbek opposition to meet in Turkey, 07.05.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Continuing denials of prisoners' freedom of religion or belief, 07.05.2013

Eurasia Review Afghanistan: Economic Transition Path To Long-Term Stability, 07.05.2013

Global Post Uzbekistan cracks down on underage marriage, 06.05.2013

Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel Talks to the Turkmenistan President, 06.05.2013

BBC In pictures: Kazakhstan's first gay wedding , 04.05.2013

Eurasianet Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov Takes Tumble, 30.04.2013

IPHR Uzbekistan's partners should push for implementation of UN recommendations, 29.04.2013

CNN Strong quake hits southwestern China, 180 are dead, 21.04.2013

State.gov Assistant Secretary Blake To Travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, 20.04.2013

Times of India Taliban bomb kills seven Afghan civilians: Official, 17.04.2013

Global Post U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs discusses transparency of government agencies with Uzbek authorities, 13.04.2013

Central Asia Online Uzbekistan warns population of extremist activity, 12.04.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: "Unbelievable" fines after no trial and raid with no warrant, 11.04.2013

CPJ The ban on Ferghana News violates the constitutional guarantee of access to information, 10.04.2013

Registan Gulnara Karimova: Is She Ready to be the Next President of Uzbekistan?, 09.04.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Mission to UN Denies Report of Gulnara Karimova’s Resignation, 08.04.2013

New York Times Rumors About Uzbekistan Leader’s Health Set Off Succession Debate, 07.04.2013

RIAN Homecoming ‘Too Late’ for Soviet Soldier in Afghanistan, 06.04.2013

RTT Sr. US State Deptt. Official To Visit Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, 06.04.2013

HRW Kyrgyzstan: Violence Mars Supreme Court Hearing, 05.04.2013

Economist Two of Central Asia’s strongmen and their daughters ponder succession, 05.04.2013

Eurasianet Kazakhstan, UN Getting Involved In Rogun Mediation, 04.04.2013

World Policy (blog) Dammed or Damned: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Wrestle Over Water-Energy Nexus, 03.04.2013

RFE\RL Uzbek President's Daughter Attacks Finance Minister Again , 02.04.2013

Khaama Press Report: 5000 Afghan troops quit their job every month, 01.04.2013

Wall Street Journal TeliaSonera Could Face Fines in Uzbekistan Bribery Case, 29.03.2013

Forum 18 TURKMENISTAN: Ninth imprisoned conscientious objector, 26.03.2013

Khaama Press Iran behind water resources destruction in Afghanistan, 24.03.2013

RFE\RL Independent Media Windows Into Uzbekistan Face Financial Facts, 23.03.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Says It Begins Shale Oil Drilling, 23.03.2013

ISN NATO, Uzbekistan and the ISAF Withdrawal, 21.03.2013

BBC Pakistan's Ashraf government makes history, 17.03.2013

Moscow Times MTS to Pull Out of Uzbekistan Next Month, 14.03.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Ups Gas Production as Residents Forced to Choose Coal, 13.03.2013

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