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IWPR Insight

IWPR Insight feature showcases IWPR’s regional expertise, with our team of journalists around the world providing in-depth and original perspectives on news and issues affecting IWPR programme areas.

China Reaps Rewards of Central Asian Investment

Saule Mukhametrakhimova

Turkmen gas supplies to China reached over 20 billion cubic metres last month, more than two-thirds the target volume for the end of 2012. IWPR Central Asia editor Saule Mukhametrakhimova looks at the implications of Chinese investment in Central Asian energy.

Central Asia

Picking a Winner in Turkmenistan

Inga Sikorskaya

Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov is standing for a second term on February 12. Since the outcome is a foregone conclusion, IWPR asked Inga Sikorskaya, senior editor for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to explain why Berdymuhammedov is even bothering to campaign, why he has invited candidates to oppose him, and why he has promised to allow more than the current one political party to exist.
 

Central Asia

Tunisia’s Chaotic Transition

Marwan Maalouf

A year on from the uprising in Tunisia which sparked a wave of unrest across the Arab world, IWPR Tunisian project director Marwan Maalouf looks at the challenges still facing the country. Elections resulted in the Islamist Ennahda party leading a coalition government, but Tunisia’s future direction remains unclear.
 

The Arab Spring

Is Iraqi Media Law a Step Forward?

Hazim al-Sharaa

Iraq’s new media law, the product of several years of debate, is supposed to protect journalists, but it has been the subject of much controversy. Hazim al-Sharaa, an IWPR editor in Iraq, looks at why some fear the legislation will restrict rather than enhance freedom of speech.
 

Iraq

Simmering Tensions Boil Over in Kazakstan

Saule Mukhametrakhimova

A state of emergency is in place in the western Kazakstan town of Janaozen, where 14 people died when police opened fire on protesting oil workers on December 16.  IWPR Central Asia editor Saule Mukhametrakhimova explains the backdrop to the protests, and how the authorities are handling the crisis.
 

Central Asia

Bahraini Government Must Act on Hard-Hitting Report

Mariwan

In November 2011, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry released a 500-page report into human rights abuses committed during demonstrations in the spring. Daniella Peled talks to Mariwan Hama-Saeed of Human Rights Watch about the commission's hard-hitting account, and what it means for Bahrain.

The Arab Spring

Kazakstan's Snap Election

Saule Mukhametrakhimova

Kazak president Nursultan Nazarbaev has dissolved parliament and called a snap election for January 15. The election is supposed to replace the current one-party rule with a more pluralist legislature. IWPR Central Asia editor Saule Mukhametrakhimova discusses how genuine the talk of greater pluralism is.
 

Central Asia

Saif Gaddafi Trial Would be Coup for ICC

Simon Jennings

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, ICC, has confirmed to the United Nations Security Council that he has been in contact with aides to Muammar Gaddafi’s son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, about his possible surrender to the court. However, no direct contact has yet been made and the younger Gaddafi is thought to be hiding out in the deserts of southern Libya or neighbouring Niger. Simon Jennings, IWPR’s Africa editor, looks at some of challenges involved in bringing the late Muammar Gaddafi’s son to trial.

International Justice - ICC

Now He's Won, Kyrgyz Leader Must Start Delivering

Timur Toktonaliev

Almazbek Atambaev’s victory in Kyrgyzstan’s presidential election did not come as a particular shock, but the fact that he beat his two nearest rivals so resoundingly confounded predictions that the vote would go to a second round. IWPR editor Timur Toktonaliev discusses the many challenges facing the new president and how he is likely to cope.

Central Asia

Syria: How Far Has Uprising Spread?

Salam Hafez

As the revolution in Syria continues unabated, IWPR Iraq editor Salam Hafez assesses the extent of the unrest and the relative strengths of the security forces the and rebel Syrian Free Army, SFA, amid growing concerns that the uprising may soon turn into a civil war.

The Arab Spring