RFE/RL Central Asia Report
17.09.2012
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the five countries of Central Asia.
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Kyrgyz Anticorruption Official's Son Arrested
Eldar Madylbekov, son of the chairman of the Kyrgyz parliament's anticorruption committee, is suspected of illegally obtaining property that used to belong to ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev. More 
Touchdown! Soyuz Capsule Lands In Central Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz TMA-04M capsule with two Russians and an American onboard landed safely on the cloudless Kazakh steppe on September 17 after 123 days at the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz craft remains the only means for international astronauts to reach the space station following the decommissioning of the U.S. space shuttle in 2011. Moscow hopes the smooth landing will help to ease concerns over relying solely on Russia to service the space station following a string of mishaps in its space program. More 
Progress Noted, But Questions Remain Over 'New Silk Road' Initiative
The New Silk Road recently turned 1. In that time, analysts say, the U.S.-backed plan to strengthen Afghanistan and its neighbors through expanded trade and energy projects has produced some positive results. But entrenched challenges remain. More 
Explosion Targets Kazakh Police
With bloodshed and criticism already mounting in western Kazakhstan over labor disputes and social frictions, an overnight explosion that appeared to target police has injured "several" officers and sparked a firefight. More 
Tajiks, Uzbeks Trade Blame For Clash
The Uzbek and Tajik border-protection agencies have blamed each other for a shooting incident in which an Uzbek border guard was severely injured. More About 50 local residents have blocked a highway connecting Kyrgyzstan's southern region of Osh with neighboring Tajikistan, in a protest over exports of gasoline the protesters say is needed in Kyrgyzstan. More 
Silly Dictator Story #20: Nobody Knows Berdy
Back home everyone -- everyone -- knows the name and face of Turkmen President Gurbanguly "The Protector" Berdymukhammedov. But, although he may be presiding over the "Era of Supreme Happiness" on his home turf in Turkmenistan, during his official trips abroad its a whole new world. More 
Is Tajik Singer Putin Fan Or Kremlin's Man?
Tolibjon Kurbankhanov, a singer from Tajikistan, has been churning out video clips praising Vladimir Putin. His latest composition, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President," is fuelling speculation that the songs are nothing more than a Kremlin PR stunt. More 
Iranian TV Gear Stuck At Tajik Border
Tajik customs officials say they are holding equipment from Iran that reportedly is meant for a joint Persian-language television project. More 
Kazakh Journalist Tried For Libel, Again
One of Kazakhstan's most prominent independent journalists, Lukpan Akhmedyarov, has gone on trial in his native western city of Oral. More 
Russian Military Delegation Discusses Future Of Tajik Bases
Visiting Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov was in Dushanbe on September 12 for a second straight day of talks with Tajik officials on the future of Russia's military bases in Tajikistan. More 
5 Killed In Kazakh Antiterror Operation
Five alleged terrorists have been killed and one severely injured during an antiterrorism operation in Kazakhstan's western region of Atyrau. More 
Kyrgyzstan Swears In New Government
Kyrgyzstan's new prime minister, Jantoro Satybaldiev, and his government have been formally sworn into office. More 
Members Of Banned Tajik Group Jailed
Tajikistan's Supreme Court has sentenced 15 alleged members of a banned Islamist group, Jamaat Ansarullah. More 
Interview: Robert D. Kaplan On How Geography Affects The Fate Of Nations
From Iran's glorious past as the ancient world's first superpower to Russia’s present and continuing obsession with protecting its territory, acclaimed American journalist and author Robert Kaplan’s latest book, "The Revenge of Geography: What the Map Tells Us about Coming Conflicts and the Battle against Fate" traces the history of the world's hot spots through their geographic advantages and disadvantages. More 
Kyrgyz Protests Seek Bakiev Extradition
Scores of people have demonstrated at the Belarusian Embassy in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, demanding the extradition from Belarus of former President Kurmanbek Bakiev and his brother, Janysh. More 
Kazakh Responses To Oil Strike 'Abusive'
A leading rights group has accused Kazakhstan’s government and several oil firms of systematic violations of the rights of thousands of oil workers. More |
