Quick Thread: Dushanbe still not admitting COVID. I know an American who had pneumonia, got released from hospital when condition improved, but then took turn for the worse. He then tested positive for COVID and ended up back in hospital. Sadly he didn't make it. 1/3
Some politicians across globe irresponsibly downplay virus for political ends, usually with tragic human tolls. Trump and Rahmon are both guilty. But, Xi (and others) are too. 2/3
Public health officials generally are better in voicing gravity of situation. But, it's deeply troubling that #Tajikistan's top medical officials are not able or willing to do so. 3/3
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As dad of disabled child, this breaks my heart. We battle inaccessibility too. I've carried my daughter up plane stairs, on my back across US natl park, into traffic when COVID-era restaurants take up whole sidewalk. But, never in a children's hospital1/5 rus.ozodlik.org/a/31669324.html
Uzbekistan ratified the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disability in 2021. Doing so was an achievement. At signing, it pledged to align its laws to ensure human rights of disabled 2/5 dilmurad.me/uzbekistan-rat…
Make no mistake -- prospects of disabled in Uzbekistan are brighter than they were a few years ago, much of it advanced through advocacy of president's daughter. I'm grateful for that. 3/5 uzdaily.uz/en/post/63240
Thread: Russia is experiencing yet another COVID surge, due to toxic combo of poor top-down messaging, low vaccination rate, lax adherence to enhanced public health measures and mistrust in authorities 1/6 carnegieendowment.org/2021/10/28/rus… via @CarnegieEndow
Putin is clearly part of the problem. He's been aloof and skirting responsibility since pandemic started, like many other heads of states (esp. autocrats). But Putin system often struggles to function without his direct participation. 2/6
The pandemic highlights how Russian authoritarianism isn't necessarily effective authoritarianism. People/officials flout rules & Russia's high-tech solutions to pandemic aren't working; desire for quick fixes, over sustainable solutions compounds problems 3/6
Thread: Its a year since the start of the 2020 conflict in Nagorny-Karabakh. Armenians & Azerbaijanis today are commemorating and honoring dead. But region is undergoing both internal and external shifts eurasianet.org/armenia-azerba… 1/13
Despite shows of unity in both countries, there are numerous fractures in each. Az first: war had rally around flag impact for Aliyevs; But, COVID, shifting gas markets, inflation dented Az economy; growth forecast bleak vis-a-vis many neighbors. 2/13 adb.org/countries/azer…
Govt appears jittery. Reconstruction and return of displaced war is delayed. Of course both are complicated & costly processes, but seems like Baku is more intent on showcase spaces than everyday lives 3/13 eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-ina…
Thread: In 2020, Moscow hailed Sputnik V as the answer to the global health crisis. A year later, Russia’s Sputnik is backfiring, endangering average Russians & complicating other countries’ pandemic response 1/7 carnegieendowment.org/2021/08/03/rus…
Sputnik’s developers rushed through trials & cut corners to be first in the world, then seen as big achievement over its Western counterparts. Sadly, the rush led people to lose trust in it, a problem that lingers today with devastating consequences, 2/7 nytimes.com/2021/06/30/wor…
Its developer started marketing it last year, signing deals for it to be shipped globally. But supply problems and delivery delays are leaving many countries empty handed. 3/7 bbc.com/news/world-eur…
Thread: Despite all the talk about Russian vaccine diplomacy, it hasn't been all that successful. In our latest, @grace_kier1 & I analyze Russia's production/supply difficulties, inflated costs & Russian's lack of trust in Sputnik V 1/10 carnegieendowment.org/2021/08/03/rus…
Sputnik vaccine is an essential part of the global pandemic response; its cheap and seems effective, but its developers cut corners in trials and haven't been fully transparent in the data they shares. This raised questions about efficacy & safety 2/10 themoscowtimes.com/2021/05/13/in-…
Wealthy countries have stockpiled vaccines to the detriment of others, but are key contributors to COVAX. Russia isn't doing that. Despite touting Sputnik globally, its pursuing commercial deals often at higher than expected price 3/10 citinewsroom.com/2021/06/well-d…
Thread: Economic and investment ties are growing between the UAE and Armenia. This is the latest news: a large UAE investment in solar energy come, on heels of investment in aviation sector 1/4 eurasianet.org/armenia-to-bui…
Air Arabia and Armenian National Interest Fund announced a joint venture just 10 days ago on a joint venture to stand up a new Armenian airlines 2/4 english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2021…
Armenian National Interest Fund is behind both endeavors. Fund is increasingly active is seeking diverse investment pool beyond Russia, Europe, & global Armenian diaspora. Persian Gulf states are increasingly important trade/investment partners 3/4 anif.am