China dips its toe in the Black Sea Aug 1, 2009
Interestingly, the renewed spurt of unrest in Central Asia (including Xinjiang) - which Russian intelligence has been anticipating since end-2008 - is taking place along the route of the 7,000-kilometer gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and leading to Xinjiang that is expected to be commissioned by year-end. No doubt, the pipeline signifies a historic turning point in the geopolitics of the entire region. (Asia Times Online)
Russia Wants 2nd Base In Kyrgyzstan Jul 30, 2009
Other CSTO members are Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The reports did not specify how many troops would be at the base or exactly where it would be located. (CBS News -- World)
Opposition Cries Fraud in Kyrgyzstan Vote Jul 26, 2009
But the global financial crisis has slammed Russia and neighboring Kazakhstan, devastating Kyrgyzstan's economy because it relies heavily on remittances and trade. Under a recent deal to extend the lease of the U.S. air base at Manas, Kyrgyzstan will receive $60 million in annual rent, more than triple the previous amount, plus a further $120 million in investment and aid. (CBS News)
The Dish: And thats the way it is, unfortunately Jul 25, 2009
They can pronounce the tough names like Ahmadinejad and Kazakhstan. They ve interviewed the rough guys, reported the difficult stories. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Iran and Russia, scorpions in a bottle Jul 24, 2009
If we add Kazakhstan's 3% and Africa's 9 ... They are in fact opposed to the new Caspian states - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. (Asia Times Online)
Kyrgyzstan To Hold Presidential Election Jul 22, 2009
Those achievements have been undermined by rampant inflation, however, while the effect of the global financial crisis on Russia and Kazakhstan has had a devastating impact on the local economy, which relies heavily on remittances and trade. According to a recent International Monetary Fund report, growth in the Kyrgyz economy could almost come to a halt in 2009, after years of relatively robust performance. (CBS News -- World)
No Sex, Please: Ukraine Bans Brüno Jul 16, 2009
" When Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan hit cinema screens in 2006, few were surprised that the real-world home of Borat, the idiot-innocent Kazak main character, decided to ban the film as a matter of pride. But now censors in Ukraine are giving his latest film, Br?no, the same no-show treatment, claiming morality not hurt feelings as the reason. Related Photos Stories Baron Cohen's comedy may be raking it in at the U.S. box... (Time.com)
Will Nabucco pipeline deal free Europe from Russian gas? Jul 14, 2009
A main unanswered question is whether governments and energy fields in the supply states of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan can or will reliably divvy up and deliver gas over time. There's an expected intense bidding war, in some cases over gas fields whose yields are not yet concretely confirmed. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Spiritual mother of Uighurs or terrorist? Jul 10, 2009
The Chinese government views the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) as a separatist movement bent on independence for Xinjiang, a resource-rich and strategically important region bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan among other nations. Beijing is intensely sensitive to threats to its territorial integrity both there and in Tibet. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Rethinking Russia Jul 10, 2009
Russia was equally unqualified to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), which may explain why PM Putin appeared to overrule his own president and decided that the whole WTO effort should be abandoned in favor of a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. This is perhaps the clearest signal that Moscow has no real interest in being a partner with the West--and that on more than one issue Medvedev's authority as president is little more than ceremonial. (CBS News)
Letters Jul 5, 2009
One only has to think of Kazakhstan as an example. For these countries, China is a "safer" partner in energy to do business with. (Asia Times Online)
Greater China Jul 5, 2009
China on Thursday agreed to loan Kazakhstan US$10 billion in return for the right to take a big stake in the Central Asian country's energy sector. This follows similar initiatives with Russian energy giants and the financing of a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan to China. (Asia Times Online)
Taking mockery to new heights Jul 5, 2009
But "The Daily Show" and the work of Sacha Baron Cohen ("Da Ali G. Show," "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," the new "Brno") have moved into some kind of meta-verse in which the springing of the trap on unsuspecting interviewees, and sometimes the very making of the fake documentary, are the heart of the comedy ... In "Borat," one had to wonder if shots might be fired as the protagonist irritated a hooting, hollering Southern rodeo crowd with... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
A moment of truth for Obama in Moscow Jul 4, 2009
China and Kazakhstan have even been invited to deploy troops. Russia has, in essence, taken the initiative to muzzle its way by creating a trilateral format with Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Asia Times Online)
America and Russia: Welcome to Moscow Jul 3, 2009
Since then he has slammed the door on the World Trade Organisation, opting instead for a no-doubt-mighty customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan. Russia has long criticised the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe for daring to highlight election malpractice. (The Economist)
Obamas Middle East Challenge Part II Jul 1, 2009
Dilip Hiro s latest book is Inside Central Asia: A Political and Cultural History of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Iran, published by Overlook Press, New York. Rights. (YaleGlobal Online Magazine, CT)
* World News Quick Take Jun 29, 2009
President Shimon Peres yesterday was to begin a landmark visit to the former Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan aimed at advancing strategic and economic ties, his office said ... He also plans to address hundreds of representatives from Muslim and Arab countries at an interfaith conference in Kazakhstan on Wednesday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Kevin McClintock: Target Iran Iraq insurgency serves as inspiration for future Arab conflict Jun 27, 2009
Attack prongs would initiate west from Iraq and east from Afghanistan, with air elements launched from Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and new bases recently built in the former Soviet nations of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Unless Obama was to initiate a draft an unpopular move that hasn't been implemented since the 1960s an invasion of Iran would either have to wait until the current Taliban-led insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan has been quelled or its ranks padded by... (Medfield Press, MA)
Introducing the 'real' Bruno....'I'm more beefy, I'm taller'... Jun 19, 2009
Austrian writers are anticipating that the country may have a similar experience to Kazakhstan, which is still recovering from the backward image of it portrayed in Baron Cohen's 's last film 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' (2005). "Kazakhstan is still suffering their enormous loss of identity; Austria could soon be going the same way," says the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) in an article headlined, 'Will Nazi replace our Dirndl... (The Drudge Report)
Iran and Russia nip at US global dominance Jun 17, 2009
The group comprises Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. India, Pakistan, Iran, and Mongolia attend meetings as observers. (Christian Science Monitor)
Ahmadinejad attends Russia summit Jun 16, 2009
Other members are the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The two-day summit is being attended by Chinese leader Hu Jintao and high-level delegations from India, Pakistan and Mongolia, who enjoy an observer status in the group. (India Times, India)
Defiant Ahmadinejad joins Russia summit Jun 16, 2009
Along with the two giants, the group also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran has in the past expressed interest in becoming a full member and currently has observer status. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Shanghai group leaders open talks Jun 16, 2009
The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) brings together Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia later joined as observer members. (BBC News -- Europe)
Iran president visits Russia despite protests Jun 16, 2009
Besides Russia and China, the SCO groups the ex-Soviet Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. (Additional reporting by Chris Buckley, editing by Angus MacSwan). (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Global recession making world violent Jun 2, 2009
The United States rose six places to 83rd, wedged between Ukraine and Kazakhstan, after researchers cut its risk of a terrorist attack. China was unchanged from last year at 74th, while Russia was near the bottom of the list at 136th. (India Times)
Seeing Red: Georgia blames Russia for 'mutiny' May 6, 2009
Kazakhstan and Serbia, also strong allies with Russia, have previously canceled their participation. Georgia, Moscow blame one another for mutiny. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Mexican flights suspended Apr 29, 2009
Seven countries had imposed bans on pork and pork products from the United States: China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Ecuador, Nefeterius McPherson, a spokesperson for US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, told AFP.. China, which has the world's largest pig population, and South Korea have banned live swine from the US, McPherson said, and Russia has banned all meat products from five states: California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio. (iAfrica.com)
Central Asia to hold water summit Apr 28, 2009
The three downstream states Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan need large amounts of water to irrigate their cotton and for other agricultural industries. In Soviet times a system of exchange enabled the five states to share water and energy resources such as electricity and gas. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Benin joins EU aviation blacklist Apr 9, 2009
The EU's blacklist of airlines banned from flying to the 27-nation bloc has been expanded to include all of Benin's carriers and six based in Kazakhstan. The updated list also includes One Two Go Airlines of Thailand and Motor Sich Airlines of Ukraine. (BBC News -- Africa)
US space tourist lands on Earth Apr 9, 2009
A Russian Soyuz capsule carrying US space tourist Charles Simonyi and two other crewmembers has landed in Kazakhstan, Russian officials say ... The Soyuz rocket blasted off from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome on 26 March, ferrying its three-person crew, including Russian Commander Gennady Padalka and US Flight Engineer Michael Barratt, to the ISS.. (BBC News -- Technology)
Cricket scoop Mar 26, 2009
Page last updated at 12:49 GMT, Wednesday, 25 March 2009. By Mohammed Allie BBC News, Cape Town. (BBC News -- Africa)
Akers: Canoodles, Car Wrecks and Montanans Gone Wild Mar 20, 2009
My all-time favorite exclusive was the one I wrote about Montanans Gone Wild on a Congressional delegation in Kazakhstan. That s when Rep. (Roll Call)
Galloping backward in time Mar 19, 2009
The site was where northern Kazakhstan is now, the culture was called Botai and the date was around 3500 B.C. Scientists found bit-wear marks on Botai horses teeth a clear sign the animals were being ridden. They also found evidence on pottery fragments that very likely came from mares milk fat a sign that the horses were being milked. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
NASA to try shuttle launch Sunday Mar 15, 2009
That's because Discovery needs to be gone by the time the Soyuz blasts off from Kazakhstan with a fresh space station crew. If Discovery isn't flying by Tuesday night, then it will have to wait until April. (Insight on the News)
Razed Palestinian camp awaits rebuild Mar 4, 2009
For years, he plied his trade from Germany to Kazakhstan, with spells in Yemen, Oman and Abu Dhabi, patiently sending his savings to his wife and brother to build a four-storey family home in the camp, adding floors whenever the money allowed. Three months after he returned in 2007, a conflict in which he had no part reduced his life's work to ruins. (International Herald Tribune)
Recession? War? Gulf developer continues massive Georgia luxury project. Feb 26, 2009
Although the United States and European Union have been Georgia's largest political supporters, most foreign direct investment in Georgia comes from the Middle East, Russia, and Kazakhstan. In 2007, foreign direct investment accounted for more than 15 percent of Georgia's GDP. After the war, projected foreign investment dropped by nearly half to $1. (Christian Science Monitor)
LETTER: Obama appoints his own 'good ole boys' Feb 18, 2009
The list reveals another key center of conflicts of interest in Kazakhstan, the former Soviet Republic, now home to some of the world's greatest mineral deposits and ruled by a corrupt dictator, Nursultan A. Nazarbayev, who according to The New York Times has all but quashed political dissent. "Clinton visited Kazakhstan and met with its president on Sept. 6, 2005, accompanied by Canadian mining financier Frank Giustra. Soon after, Giustra was awarded a highly lucrative contract to mine uranium... (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Afghan supplies, Russian demands Feb 8, 2009
There is also no certainty that countries in the Russian sphere of influence, like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, would agree to let the United States use these routes without Russian permission. Today in Opinion. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
