Farangis Najibullah

Journalists Fear Media Law Changes

The Afghan parliament is debating an amended media law that critics warn could signal authorities' desire to tighten their grip on news outlets.

Are Concerns About 'Islamic Extremism' Justified?

The authorities have taken yet another step in their campaign against conservative Muslims -- this time by closing down several in-house religious centers.

Supreme Court Justifies Morality Killings

Iran's Supreme Court this month has upheld the idea that people may be killed with impunity if they are deemed to be immoral.

Divided, And Determined

The mass killings and deportations of Armenians by Ottoman Turks continues to blight relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Ashgabat Evictions Take Human Toll

Authorities in the Turkmen capital launched an ambitious policy of urban renewal in the 1990s, building skyscrapers, exclusive apartments, and public parks.

Tajikistan: Is Dushanbe Pursuing An Uzbek Political Model?

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (file photo) (Bymedia.net) April 19, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Tajik authorities are seeking a six-month ban on the opposition Social Democratic Party over accusations that it has "undermined laws and regulations."

Authorities Exclude Miniskirt, Hejab On Campuses

Just days after a ban on cell phones, private cars, and lavish parties on university campuses, the education minister has issued bans on headscarves and miniskirts.

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

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

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

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

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

Kyrgyzstan: China Keeps Nationals As Business 'Collateral'

Afghanistan: Drug Addiction On Rise Among Women,