On Saturday, Turkmenistan's president-for-life drove to the country's first car race in his Veyron. He wanted to wish the racers good luck. But then, the crowd convinced the Dear Leader to enter the contest. And guess what? He won!
Showing posts with label Central Asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central Asia. Show all posts
Turkmenistan's presidential ride
On Saturday, Turkmenistan's president-for-life drove to the country's first car race in his Veyron. He wanted to wish the racers good luck. But then, the crowd convinced the Dear Leader to enter the contest. And guess what? He won!
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The Taliban morality police is back
Unfortunately, when NATO finally pulls out of Afghanistan, these asshats will be back in charge.
2012 Nuclear Security Summit captions
Leaders from over 50 countries convened in Seoul to talk nuclear security. Here are some photos from the talks:
When did Jordan's King Abdullah II become William Shatner?
Am definitely not a fashionable guy, but I've always dug the cut of Medvedev's suits and his tie knots.
Say what you will about Kazakhstan's Nazarbayev, but he did unilaterally give up his young nation's entire nuclear weapons stockpile.
No matter how powerful you are, you always feel like an outsider at social functions.
I guess the Polish environmental minister memorized the chapter about bowing in Asian cultures on the flight over.
I now pronounce you man and Sheila!
How did Chile get to stand in the middle of the whole photo op? Did they draw straws?
Helicopter unloading on steep hillside
Sure, we suck at nation-building. But we're awesome at flying helicopters. USA! USA!
H/t to Demon_Xanth at Opposite Lock.
Uyghur discontent spills into Pakistan
It is just as difficult to get news out of Xinjiang as it is out of Tibet. This week, a small but serious riot broke out near the city of Kashgar in far western China. The numbers are all over the place-- between 12 and 20 people were killed. The ethnic composition of the victims is also in dispute. Some reports say the majority of the victims were Han civilians. Others say the majority were knife-wielding Uyghurs killed by Chinese security forces.
I did not post this earlier because there was simply no photographic or video footage of the rioting or the gruesome aftermath. The photograph above is one of a couple to have trickled out. Plus, I was waiting for more accurate figures to emerge, which never happened.
The latest development is worrisome. A Han Chinese woman in a Peshawar market (it's unclear if she was a tourist, a trader, or someone else) was shot dead. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility. It was supposedly retaliation for the violent treatment of Uyghurs by the Chinese in Xinjiang.
The Chinese government has always been quick to link unrest inside Xinjiang to foreign terrorist influences, despite the lack of evidence. This attack by a non-Uyghur terrorist on a Han Chinese in Pakistan brings forth a whole new element to the conflict.
Koran burning in Afghanistan
The burning of Korans (mixed with confiscated pornographic materials) at an American base has caused not only riots all over Afghanistan, but fratricide as well. Today, two more Americans, a colonel and a major, were shot and killed by an Afghan solider inside the Interior Ministry building.
This video recap was from yesterday:
This video recap was from yesterday:
Future Chinese First Lady to placate Tibetans and Uyghurs with patriotic songs
Yeah, this ought to wipe out all the animus built up as a result of decades of Han political, cultural, and military hegemony and chauvinism. Delusional, some people are.
Last U.S. and Soviet troops leaving quagmires
U.S. leaving Iraq and crossing into Kuwait:
U.S.S.R. leaving Afghanistan and crossing back into Soviet Central Asia (skip to 34:18):
U.S.S.R. leaving Afghanistan and crossing back into Soviet Central Asia (skip to 34:18):
Krokodil drug in Siberia
This is sad and disgusting. When joining a cult is actually a better life choice than taking this drug, well, you're screwed.
Note: There are some scenes in Part 2 that are really graphic (medical footage of effect of drug on people's skin and limbs).
Note: There are some scenes in Part 2 that are really graphic (medical footage of effect of drug on people's skin and limbs).
Rhino Runner armored bus in Kabul
Before:
After getting too close to truck carrying 1,500 pounds of explosives.
It's time to get out of Afghanistan.
After getting too close to truck carrying 1,500 pounds of explosives.
It's time to get out of Afghanistan.
Armadillo movie trailer
F*&kin' hell.
Out of the half dozen movies I've seen about the war in Afghanistan, this is by far the best. And it's not just the explosions and gunfire. The brief, subtle shots make this movie unforgettable.
The burly father choking up as he sees his son off to Afghanistan at the airport terminal.
The artillery spotter who accidentally kills a young girl.
The young private's facial expression as he realizes that he had just been shot.
Out of the half dozen movies I've seen about the war in Afghanistan, this is by far the best. And it's not just the explosions and gunfire. The brief, subtle shots make this movie unforgettable.
The burly father choking up as he sees his son off to Afghanistan at the airport terminal.
The artillery spotter who accidentally kills a young girl.
The young private's facial expression as he realizes that he had just been shot.
Herman Cain and Uzbekistan
I don't fault him for not knowing the president of Uzbekistan. But his attitude (indifference) towards foreign policy is frightening.
Oh, by the way, he and Mitt Romney are tied for the lead as the Republican presidential frontrunners.
Oh, by the way, he and Mitt Romney are tied for the lead as the Republican presidential frontrunners.
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