“We still have no answers to millions of questions,” said Vyacheslav Abramov. “It’s important for the future of the country to understand what happened.”
Central Asia
Russia Sets Rampart Against Islam in Case It Runs Rampant
“The Russians were here before, they’re here now, and they will be here in the future. To us it makes no difference who stands there, Tajiks or Russians.”
Bringing Peace to Tajikistan’s Mountain Fiefdoms
In the mountains of Tajikistan, allegiances are based on localities and clans, many affiliated with neither the government nor the opposition.
Russia’s Multinational Military Exercise Last Week Was A Dry Run For Bigger War Games
“We see how geopolitical risks are increasing, and that’s why we’re uniting to repel any threat from any direction,” said Russian Lt. Gen. Alexander Lapin.
Iran Seeks to Undermine U.S. Energy Plan for Europe
Iran plans to import more oil and gas from Central Asia as it seeks to undermine a U.S.-backed project to build pipelines from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
Uzbeks Try to Blunt Islam’s Rise
“The government itself is creating fundamentalism,” says Mikhail Ardzinov. “We say we need to conduct a dialogue with religious people. Now it’s become dangerous.”
Unlocking Turkmenistan
President-for-Life Saparmurat Niyazov harangued ministers, asking them why it took a foreigner to run a successful chicken farm.
Taliban Jars Central Asia
Moscow’s futile attack on Afghanistan was launched from this scorching border town 20 years ago. Now it’s bracing itself for an invasion in the reverse direction.
Oil-and-Gas Rich Country Swallows Money, Still Needing More
“You have to swim somewhere,” says one girl who emerges from the murky water. “We live here, so what choice do we have? Our hair and teeth haven’t fallen out yet.”
Distant Germans Feel Pull of ‘Homeland’
“I don’t say that I live badly. I have my husband and sons. I live with God,” says Zina Ida Leipi. “When a person has bread, water, and peace, then he is happy.”
