Topic: Central Asia
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Briefing
Chechnya: How a remote Russian republic became linked with terrorism
The main suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, a Russian republic that has been the scene of cyclical revolts and brutal crackdowns for the past 200 years.
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CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter
Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
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4 ways US and Iran can make nuclear talks work
The Moscow talks on Iran’s nuclear program ended in stalemate June 19, as both cynics and optimists anticipated. While low-level experts will meet in July, the next set of sanctions against Iran are scheduled to kick in within weeks, arguably restarting the whole negotiating process. The next time around, the parties should consider broadening their approach in these four ways.
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Briefing
Gay marriage laws around the globe
There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.
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International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe
International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:
All Content
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Briefing
Chechnya: How a remote Russian republic became linked with terrorism
The main suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing are two brothers from Chechnya, a Russian republic that has been the scene of cyclical revolts and brutal crackdowns for the past 200 years.
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Were motives of Boston bombing suspects embedded in Chechen heritage – or not?
The suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing were immigrants from a violent region of the Caucasus, but experts say disaffection with the US, rather than radical ideology, is the more likely motive.
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Chechen identity looms over Boston Marathon bombing suspects
If true that the two suspects were raised in Chechnya, its warrior tradition - which stresses male independence and defiance of authority - would likely have shaped their childhood.
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CSMonitor editors share their favorite people to follow on Twitter
Twitter turned 7 this week. In celebration of the social network's birthday, The Christian Science Monitor compiled a list of favorite Twitter accounts. Each is informative and useful in its own way. Find out what each section recommends for you.
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Backchannels Egypt's economy is collapsing, and no one is stopping it
Egypt's economic problems do have a possible solution: politics. But Egypt's politicians are failing.
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Energy Voices What's China doing in Greenland?
China’s drive to develop Greenland’s rare earths may be driven more by its economic than geopolitical interests, Rogers writes.
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Energy Voices BP Energy Outlook: why the oil giant's forecasts are flawed
The BP Energy Outlook 2030 is not a statistical or scientific document, Cobb writes, but rather a political one. It is not a statement about the way the world is so much as about the way BP wishes it to be over the next 20 years, he adds.
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Outgoing general predicts an Afghanistan liberated from foreign intrigue
The remarks from Gen. John Allen came at a change-of-command ceremony. American Gen. Joseph Dunford now leads NATO's mission in Afghanistan.
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Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes
Fighting between rival militant groups near the Khyber Pass has reportedly claimed more than 70 lives over the past week.
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Chapter & Verse 'Games Without Rules' dominate Afghanistan's tangled history
Afghan-American author Tamim Ansary tracks the past of his native country
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Backchannels In Egypt a new cabinet, but same old IMF problem
A day after President Mohamed Morsi reshuffled Egypt's cabinet, an IMF representative was in Cairo to discuss a $4.8 billion loan. But the cost of that needed cash appears steep.
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IMF arrives in Egypt in effort to head off currency crisis
Leading bank HSBC said that a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan is 'the only thing' preventing Egypt from a currency crisis brought on by post-revolution political upheaval.
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John Kerry as secretary of State: expect a more traditional style (+video)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her late-night dancing and talks with children, was known for her 'people to people' style. John Kerry is expected to adopt a more traditional version of diplomacy.
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Editor's Blog Managing the 'water planet'
For most of history, there were always new lands to discover, explore, and exploit. Resources like water were taken for granted. But an important shift has occurred as we've looked back at our planet from space: We've become more conscious of preserving our rare, blue-green island in the universe.
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Progress Watch
Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tapeIt's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
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Energy Voices Georgia installs soccer star as energy minister
The prime minister-elect of Georgia announced earlier this week his choice of soccer sensation Kakha Kaladze as his new energy minister. The soccer star has played for top Italian clubs Milan and Genoa, according to OilPrice.com.
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Kremlin to pull out of Russia-US nuke lockdown program
Russia's plan to end the Nunn-Lugar program, in which the US aided Russia in handling post-Soviet weaponry, is just part of Russia's shifting policy regarding international cooperation.
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Editor's Blog How poor is poor? How rich is rich?
Everyone from the US Census Bureau to the United Nations has a definition of poverty. A reasonable income is unquestionably important. But income alone doesn't determine whether someone is poor. Or rich.
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Russia keeps door open to Pakistan after Putin cancels trip
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Islamabad yesterday in an apparent effort to smooth feathers ruffled in Pakistan by Putin's last- minute cancellation of his own scheduled visit.
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Opinion: Beware Russia's hand in elections in Georgia, Ukraine, Lithuania
A top priority of Russian President Vladimir Putin is the reintegration of former Soviet republics – based on tighter economic links and culminating in a political and security pact centered around Russia. Meddling in Eastern European elections is one way to fulfill Putin's regional ambition.
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How do you contribute to modern day slavery of human trafficking?
You may contribute to human trafficking in ways you're unaware of, suggests the US State Department in a run-down of how what Americans wear, use and consume in daily life can be affected by "modern day slavery."
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Opinion: Obama speech: Despite foreign policy successes, a need for the big view (+video)
In his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, President Obama pointed to foreign policy successes, such as killing Osama bin Laden. But he and GOP nominee Mitt Romney still need to lay out a vision for a changing world. US influence depends on its competitiveness.
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Uzbekistan, key to Afghan war drawdown, to ban foreign military bases
Uzbekistan, which is seeking closer ties to the US, may have made the move in a bid to ease concerns of China and Russia, which are both dominant actors in Central Asia.
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Kazakh opposition leader on trial for attempting to overthrow government
Vladimir Kozlov faces 13 years in prison if convicted of charges that include orchestrating dissent among striking oil workers. Observers fear the trial could undermine some of the country's progress in developing a multiparty democracy.
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Consumer Energy Report Beijing flexes some muscle to protect energy interests
Beijing has boosted its military presence in the energy-rich South China Sea, despite disputed claims by Vietnam.
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