Kirgistan
All countries-
Turkey and Central Asia
One nation, six states?
Turkey is turning towards the Turkic nations of Central Asia, intensifying its economic, diplomatic and military relationships with these countries. So what is driving Turkey’s Central Asia policy? Are we seeing a resurgence in nationalist Pan-Turkic geopolitics? Essay by Yasar Aydin
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Kyrgyzstan – Between Marx and the market
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Kyrgyzstan – Between Marx and the market
China to the east, Russia to the north, Afghanistan to the south: in this geopolitical environment, Kyrgyzstan, which has been independent since 1991, is attempting to make progress – and is finding the going tough. By Marcel Fuerstenau
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Between Russia and Afghanistan
Kyrgyzstan – fragile democracy in Central Asia
China to the east, Russia to the north, Afghanistan to the south: in this geopolitical environment, Kyrgyzstan, which has been independent since 1991, is attempting to make progress – and is finding the going tough. Marcel Fuerstenau visited the country in Central Asia
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Kyrgyzstan elections
Zhaparov's seduction of the people
Polls have opened as Kyrgyzstan votes for a new president and on constitutional change. In autumn, protests brought down the government – now the freedoms they fought for are at stake. Emily Sherwin reports from Bishkek.
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Aminatou Echard's "Jamilia" documentary
Recording the struggle for women's rights in Kyrgyzstan
Aminatou Echard's poetic documentary takes the 1958 novel "Jamilia" by Chingiz Aitmatov as the starting point for conversations with Kyrgyz women of all generations. Inspired by the novel’s eponymous heroine, the protagonists open up about their experiences, desires, and views on women’s rights. By Adela Lovric
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Fighting forced marriage in Kyrgyzstan
Bride abduction is not cool
"Ala kachuu" is Kyrgyz and translates as "Grab her and run". What sounds like an entertaining popular sport is actually the widespread practice of kidnapping women and forcing them into marriage. With her initiative "Ala kachuu is no cool!" Kyrgyz Svetlana Dzardanova is taking a stand against the alleged custom. By Wolfgang Kuhnle
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Homoerotic poetry in Islam
Reeling with desire
What role did homoeroticism play in Islamic poetry written between the 13th and 15th centuries? We need look no further than Rumi and Babur. By Melanie Christina Mohr
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Bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan
A fateful tradition
In Kyrgyzstan, bride kidnapping is considered an old tradition. However, an increase in incidents in recent years shows that the current economic and political climate is primarily responsible for fostering the phenomenon. By Edda Schlager