Central Asia: Mar '09
Turkmen readers hear about legal improvements from IWPR before their own government tells them.
Opposition Rallies Fail to Unseat Saakashvili
It looks as if the president may pull off his gamble to simply ignore the wave of protests demanding his resignation.
Thieves Wield Powers of Darkness
As if protracted winter power cuts were not enough, Kyrgyzstan’s benighted national grid is suffering from the depradations of thieves.
Rural Kyrgyz Return to Folk Healers
Traditional healers are still popular in the more remote parts of Kyrgyzstan, despite warnings from the medical profession that their folk remedies do not work.
License to Preach in North Kyrgyzstan
Police in the northern province of Issykkul say they are finding it harder and harder to tell the difference between Islamic extremists and individuals engaged in acceptable religious proselytising.
Experts Prescribe Strict Diet for Tajik Economy
Economists say Tajikistan should focus more on building up manufacturing and rely less on exporting raw commodities.
Government Short of Cash to Build Free Trade Zones
Hopes are being placed in two free economic zones in the north and south of Tajikistan, but the government is short of cash to put them into operation.
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Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia
Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.
The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan is causing water shortages in southern Uzbekistan, while in Kyrgyzstan the government is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant. In Kazakstan, conservation activists are working to save the Central Asian tortoise from extinction.
Elsewhere, CABAR delves into the efforts by Central Asian authorities to detect, reduce and prevent statelessness across the region.
Editor's Picks
Ukraine Justice: “Reporting the Story is Just the Start”
Journalists need training and support to properly cover war crimes trials.
Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation
Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.
Harsh Victory at Position X
Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?
Behind the Wheel in a Macho City
Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.
Life in the Shadows for Armenia’s Transgender Community
Recent murder highlights widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI people.
Interview: The War on Disinformation
Open source intelligence (OSINT) can provide facts – but impatient, angry audiences often prefer opinions.