In The News

Akayev: We Do Democracy the Kyrgyz Way

Erdin Beshimov October 18, 2004
The path of many Central Asian states from crumbling Soviet control to democracy has been littered with problems. Though nominally democratic, governments have maintained tight control over their states, leading to a growing number of human rights violations against political dissidents throughout the region. Nevertheless, Central Asian officials like Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, respond to...

Disney Is Tailoring New Park to Fit Hong Kong Sensitivities

Keith Bradsher October 13, 2004
Hong Kong's version of Disneyland, slated to open in the next year, will contain many cultural aspects created specifically with Chinese visitors in mind. The management is taking pains to incorporate indigenous interests into what is generally recognized as an American enterprise: selling local foods, repositioning the park for feng shui agreement, and operating in English, Mandarin, and...

Afghan Archaeology on Road to Recovery

John W. Betlyon October 12, 2004
Continuous domestic and international turbulence has left Afghanistan's cultural sites severely damaged, especially after the mass plundering by the Taliban. As Afghans start to rebuild, the country is attracting archaeological researchers back to restore its cultural heritage; the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), along with many other foreign research...

Central Asia: Corruption, Lack of Vision Seen as Stunting Economic Growth

Andrew Tully October 11, 2004
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Central Asia has remained solidly in the hinterland of economic globalization. The region has seen little of the boom experienced by its behemoth neighbors India and China. A recent forum, "Central Asia in the Global Economy," brought together government officials and representatives of the business world to discuss...

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Signs Agreement in Bishkek

Valentinas Mite September 25, 2004
Since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, the Bush administration's strategic interest in Central Asia has grown significantly. The region now represents another arena in which the "war on terror" must be waged. Yet the growing influence of the US in Central Asia has alarmed Russia and China, who consider the region their backyard. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),...

Kabul Needs Good Neighbours

Stanley A. Weiss September 7, 2004
Afghanistan's upcoming presidential election has many observers discussing the country's future. The author of this Asian Age op-ed piece asserts that Afghan success and regional stability hinge on "neighborly" support. In addition to security concerns, nearby nations also share economic interests in Afghan development. As potential host to gas pipelines and emerging cross-...

Chechen Terrorism: Old World Motive, New World Method?

Ben Wetherall August 31, 2004
Less than a week after a recent Russian airline tragedy, a female suicide bomber attacked a Moscow subway station; evidence indicates that Chechen separatists were likely the perpetrators of both attacks. According to Russia analyst Ben Wetherall, the government's approach to the Islamic Chechen rebellion will determine the degree of success in preventing further violence. Outlining the...