The New York Times notes Oct. 6 that charges were dropped against Turkish novelist Elif Shafak, whose fictional character committed the crime of refering to the “Armenian genocide.” But almost simultaneously, charges were brought against another writer, Hrant Dink, who… Read moreTurkish intellectuals in solidarity campaign for persecuted writer
Interesting how Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty uncritically accepts Putin’s talk of a fight against “terrorism.” Basayev was assuredly a bad dude, but the Russian state’s counterinsurgency war in the North Caucasus is hardly less terroristic—and, as this report actually notes,… Read moreChechnya: Shamil Basayev reported killed
A victory for Western designs on Capsian oil 20 years in the making, this heightens the regional contradictions in several ways. It places greater pressure on Turkey to crush the Kurdish PKK insurgents who are making trouble in precisely that… Read moreTrans-Caucasus pipeline in first tanker delivery
How interesting. In an implicit acknowledgement that their hardcore Islamophobe policies are backfiring in Chechya, the Russian authorities are embracing the indigenous peace-loving Sufi tradition as an alternative to the violently intransigent Wahhabism imported from the Arab world. But this… Read moreChechen Sufi revival —between Russian occupation and Wahhabis
One civilian was killed and several injured (both police and civilians) in a clash that erupted when police opened fire on protesters blocking a road in Dagestan’s Dokuzpari district April 25. The protesters, who were demanding the dismisal of a… Read moreNorth Caucasus violence continues; authorities to redraw borders?
Insurgency and counterinsurgency grind on in the North Caucasus, with the world’s attention elsewhere. Two police were killed and five wounded April 15 when gunmen ambushed their armored personnel carrier in Chechnya, Russia’s RIA reported. One was killed by a… Read moreNorth Caucasus: violence, repression in Cechnya, Dagestan
A victory for free speech and historical memory was declared last month when charges were dropped against Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, who had dared to invoke the World War I genocide of the Armenians, as well as more recent persecution… Read moreTurkey: free speech on trial —again
A victory for historical memory—doubtless motivated by the Turkish state’s desire to gain EU entry. But as this Jan. 23 press release from Amnesty International makes clear, the greater victory will be when the law under which Orhan Pamuk was… Read moreTurkey: court drops case against writer
Those traditional and bitter Caucasus enemies Armenia and Azerbaijan both appear to be headed for regime change at the moment. First Armenia. From Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline, Nov. 29: Armenia’s opposition supporters today took to the streets of Yerevan… Read more“Regime change” for Armenia, Azerbaijan?
Riot police dispersed an opposition rally in Azerbaijan’s capital Oct. 23, beating and detaining protesters who defied an official ban on downtown demonstrations two weeks before parliamentary elections. Opposition groups say the government will try to rig the Nov. 6… Read morePolice crush protests in Azerbaijan; “regime change” next?
Presumed Chechen resistance fighters carried out a series of attacks in Nalchik, capital of the Russian Federation’s Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, on the morning of Oct. 13. Facilities targeted included the local headquarters of the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service… Read moreChechen resistance attacks Kabardino-Balkaria
Russia says it is outraged by an interview with Chechen guerilla leader Shamil Basayev broadcast by the ABC TV network, and the foreign ministry summoned a senior US diplomat in Moscow to express its “strong indignation” over the show. In… Read moreShamil Basayev: “OK, so I’m a terrorist”
