Inner Asia

Terror in Tajikistan

There was a powerful explosion outside the emergencies ministry in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, June 13. Vehicles were damaged in the blast, and the ministry’s windows blown out, but no casualties were reported. “I do not exclude that this was… Read moreTerror in Tajikistan

Inner Asia

Uzbekistan-China alignment

A week after calm started to return to Uzbekistan (see out last blog post), signs of simmering unrest continue, and the geopolitics of the conflict are starting to become clearer… Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline (RFE/RL) reported May 23 that… Read moreUzbekistan-China alignment

Inner Asia

It hits the fan in Uzbekistan

The ongoing protests in Uzbekistan’s eastern city of Andijan exploded into violence yesterday as demonstrators stormed a jail in an effort to free 23 men accused of membership in an Islamist organization and soldiers responded by opening fire on the… Read moreIt hits the fan in Uzbekistan

Inner Asia

Unrest in Uzbekistan

BBC reports May 12 on an unprecedented wave of protests against the authoritarian regime of Islam Karimov in Uzbekistan. Every day for the past four months, protesters in the eastern town of Andijan have gathered outside a courthouse where 23… Read moreUnrest in Uzbekistan

Inner Asia

Murkier and murkier in Kyrgyzstan

World media reported just yesterday that opposition lawmaker Ishenbai Kadyrbekov had been appointed interim president by Parliament following the ouster of Kyrgyzstan’s long-ruling strongman Askar Akayev in a popular uprising. But on March 25, AP reports that a better-known opposition… Read moreMurkier and murkier in Kyrgyzstan