Farangis Najibullah

Comeback | Aral Sea shows signs of recovery

April 11, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- It had been predicted that the Aral Sea would totally disappear by the year 2020. Now, against all the odds, it looks like environmental efforts have started the sea on a dramatic comeback.

Name Debate Reflects Region's Mixed History

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon recently announced a decision to abandon the Slavic-style "-ov" suffix that has been part of his name all his life.

Central Asia: Riveted by Elections in Georgia, Ukraine, West Largely Overlooks Regional Elections

Would the West pay as much attention to protests in Kyrgyzstan? Upcoming elections in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have prompted local fears of vote rigging and electoral fraud. Such scenarios drew widespread Western attention to other former Soviet republics like Ukraine and Georgia. But opposition politicians and other observers in Central Asia say the United States and European Union are far less interested in pro-democracy movements in their region.

Afghanistan: Former Taliban Followers Attempting To Assimilate Into Civilian Life

Remnants of the ousted Taliban regime continue to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan's fragile stability. Many Afghans say the Taliban has lost whatever lingering support it may have enjoyed, even in areas previously known as being sympathetic to the group. During the past two years, thousands of men who were forced to follow the Taliban have broken cleanly with their pasts, taking up the routines of civilian life.

Afghanistan: 'Bad Marriages' Likely to Continue, Despite Violations Of Women's Rights

In Afghanistan, rights activists are expressing concern over the continuing practice of so-called bad marriages, an ancient Pashtun tradition. According to the tradition, when a man is killed or mutilated in a conflict with a rival tribe or family, the victor's relatives are obligated to pay a "blood price" -- and provide a bride to the victim's family. Such bad marriages are surprisingly common in Afghanistan, and are likely to stay that way: rights experts say the government and constitutional laws are powerless against Pashtun tribal customs.

Afghanistan: Status Of Dari, Pashto Languages A Sensitive Topic

Central Asia: A Visit To Ferghana Valley -- Exploring The Roots Of Religious Extremism

Afghanistan: Speaking The Same Language -- Learning English Means Finding A Job (Part 3)

Tajikistan: Speaking The Same Language -- Mixing Russian, English In Daily Life (Part 4)

Afghanistan: UN Office Begins Disarmament, But Not Without Facing A Fight

Afghanistan: School Closures In Balkh Province Leave Teachers, Students Stranded

Afghanistan: Drug Addiction On Rise Among Women,

Kyrgyzstan: China Keeps Nationals As Business 'Collateral'

Afghanistan: Rights Groups Criticize Torture, Abuse In Prisons

Afghanistan: Men Grapple With The High Price Of Love

Afghanistan/Pakistan: Karzai Apologizes Over Embassy Attack, But What Of Long-Term Consequences?

Afghanistan: Government Prepares To Launch Nationwide Demilitarization Plan

Afghanistan: Journalists Say Climate Of Fear Discourages Critical Reporting

Central Asia: Governments Slowly Changing Approach To Human Trafficking

Tajikistan: Referendum Seen As Smokescreen To Prolong President's Grip On Power