Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from December, 2015
32 Stories That Capture the Happiness, Heartache and Resilience of 2015
Global Voices’ community-driven newsroom worked hard this year to build understanding across borders. Take a look back at some of the people and places we learned about in 2015.
The Best Stories of 2015, Handpicked by the Global Voices Community
We asked our editors, authors and translators from around the world which stories published on our site in 2015 were their favorites. Here's what they said.
Tajikistan's Pamir Region: Forever on the Brink of Disaster?
Sarez, a high-altitude lake vulnerable to breakout in the event of major seismic activity, looms ominously over the lives of the Pamiri people and the wider region.
Who Would Have Thought ‘Everest’ Was in Kazakhstan?
'I even have an old reflex camera, a Nikon D70 -- quite heavy, by the way. That picture was taken from a height of about 6,500 meters above sea level.'
2015 Was a Year of the Absurd in Ex-Soviet Tajikistan
Could things get any stranger in 2016?
Many Afghans See Their Future with India, Not Pakistan
A wave of Afghan social media love accompanied Indian PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Kabul.
Advox by the Numbers: 2015 in Digital Rights
In 2015, Turkey blocked 166 websites for publishing one controversial image, Thai activists knocked 5 government websites offline in a virtual "sit-in", and Mexico spent $6.3 million on surveillance software.
25 Years After Officially Closing, Kyrgyzstan's Biggest Dump Is Still Rancid and Expanding
Is the toxic, anarchic landfill that has troubled Bishkek for over two decades about to be brought to heel?
What Will it Take to End Police Brutality in Armenia?
A complacent executive and uncaring judiciary have given a free hand to the Caucasus country's unloved police force.
Denmark's Afghan Community Comes Together to Condemn Violence and Extremism
"We hope as well that the global community does not forget the places around the world affected exactly by this epidemic. Afghanistan is exactly one of those places.”
Kyrgyzstan's Take on Buzzfeed Generates Complaints (and Views) with Gender Stereotyping Listicles
'The ideal 'kelin' pours tea with her right hand, but never a full cup.'
Afghan Catwalk Sparks Bitter Controversy and Hopes for a More Open Society
To some they are heroes, to others "prostitutes" that "adopted Western thoughts." In Afghanistan, the catwalk is a political battleground.
Kyrgyzstan’s Madding Online Crowd Targets Dolphinarium
“Dolphins love doing these tricks. If you see how they jump when they are in the sea, they’re just doing the same thing here.”
A Tajik Singer Calls on the World Not to Forget Aylan Kurdi
'Whose knife is in my heart and my sight? What country is my lonely body buried in?'
Photographer Elyor Nematov Captures the Lives of Kyrgyzstan's Russia-Based Migrants Left Behind
When will father come home? Sometimes months, sometimes years, sometimes never.
After a Year Behind Bars, Journalist Khadija Ismayilova of Azerbaijan is Fearless
"I am so much wealthier than all the corrupt men and women I have written about. Because I have values for which I am ready to even sacrifice my life."
Saber Hussain's Pedal-Powered Library: A Story of Hope from Afghanistan
"In the morning, I woke up to this news. I smiled. 'Bamiyan is a world of miracles.'"
‘Asa Ayo'? No, Thanks. Armenian Opposition Gets Creative Ahead of Crunch Referendum
On December 6 Armenia's government will attempt to put the country's emboldened civil society back into its box. But is it too late?
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