From the monthly archives:

May 2004

Afghan Gold

by Nathan

That would be the name of the book bringing together these amazing photos were Mr. Powell not having such a hard time getting published.
There are great buzkashi photos on there, even some dog fighting ones (dog fighting videos from Afghanistan were, and probably still are, considered a hot commodity by Uzbek men).
There’s a lot of [...]

Read the full article →

Weekly Roundup Returns!

by Nathan

Realizing how helpful these are in making the Regional Briefings, I’m working a litte harder at resuscitating the weekly roundup.
Before I begin, I want to officially and publicly thank P F for joining as a contributor. The Viking post shows why I’m happy to have him on board. I saw the story, and [...]

2 comments Read the full article →

Vikings Return to the Caucasus and Turkmenistan

by Andy

The Vikings were certainly well-travelled folk. According to the Georgian chronicle Kartlis Tsovreba,
In the beginning of the 1040s an armed force with Varjagi, i.e. Scandinavians, came to the small place Bashi, situated by the river Rioni in Georgia… [I]t is stated that they were 3000 men and presumably they had been rowing up the river [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

How do you say “about-face” in Uzbek?

by Nathan

Who knows whether or not it’ll come to pass or last very long, but this is absolutely groundbreaking news.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan AP) — A top Uzbek prison official and human rights activists said Friday they would jointly monitor prisons in this former Soviet republic — unprecedented cooperation that follows allegations of widespread abuse of prisoners
Skepticism is [...]

2 comments Read the full article →

John Kerry at 0% APR Until 2005

by Nathan

I take more than a passing interest in my junk mail. Part of my job involves “direct marketing” (I’m ethical about it).
So, what I am about to present to you in photographs is, in my opinion, all politics aside, absolutely brilliant. I don’t know if this is entirely new, but it is definitely [...]

4 comments Read the full article →

Phriday

by Nathan

I love Phridays.

Read the full article →

No Comment

by Nathan

Nope, none at all.
Thanks, Tatyana!

Read the full article →

The Tajik Synagogue Fiasco

by Nathan

I’d hate to to do it, but I’m going to have to disagree with both Joe Katzman and Meryl Yourish’s characterization of the destruction of Tajikistan’s lone synagogue.

1 comment Read the full article →

It All Comes Together

by Nathan

Quick! What’s the connection between Afghanistan and the 1978 version of Dawn of the Dead?
Scott Reiniger
Still stumped? Listen to this story from The World. It seems that Mr. Reiniger is descended from the great Philadelphian, Dr. Josiah Harlan, a.k.a. Prince of Ghor, Lord of the Hazarahs, spiritual and military heir to Alexander [...]

Read the full article →

Attn: Lee Sabi Perv-boys

by Nathan

I’m assuming you’re boys anyway (and apparently located in East Asia). Lee Sabi has long been a reliable generator of Google hits (as was my intention). For those who have sought for many moon the Lee Sabi pictures, visit The Marmot. He’s got the relief you seek.

2 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries