Discussion Divas

Spotlight on Kazakhstan (Lessons from Borat)

Do you know what year the Soviet Union fell? Leave it to the controversial film “Borat,” which chronicles the journey of a “journalist” from Kazakhstan to the United States, to remind us that we didn’t know, and that there’s a lot to know about Kazakhstan. 

So, quickly, a history lesson
The Soviet Union, or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), disintegrated on December 25, 1991 when President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned.

Gorbachev helped end the Cold War, the political, economic and ideological battle between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted almost 50 years. The USSR was formed initially in 1922 as a federation of republics that became independent countries when it fell, including Kazakhstan.

There’s a lot to Kazakhstan
Aside from Russia, it’s the largest country geographically of the former republics, about the size of Western Europe, with 15 million people.
·     It pumps about one million barrels of oil a day, and touts a GDP of $125 billion, just behind Russia and Ukraine.

·     50% of the people are Muslim; 45% are Russian Orthodox.
·     According to the CIA’s World Factbook, it has “major deposits of petroleum, natural gas” and a host of minerals. It also ships a lot of grain.

A changed map
In addition to Russia and Kazakhstan, 13 countries make up the former USSR, four ending in “stan”: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Then there’s Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. So far we haven’t come up with ideas of how to remember these… anyone, anyone?

The big picture
In addition to Russia, you’re likely to see these former Soviet Republics in the headlines as many are quite rich in oil. And if you haven’t seen the movie or the press about Borat, it’s causing quite a stir over its tactics, offensive content, and an unflattering portrayal of Kazakhstan. Ironically, the Kazakh scenes were filmed in Romania.

Who are the Kurds?

When it comes to Iraq, we hear so much about the Sunnis and Shiites. One group you may also see in the news is the Kurds, who have significant presence and autonomy in Northern Iraq.

So let’s review: Who are the Kurds?
In a nutshell they are an ethnic group of about 20 million in the Middle East, with their own language and culture. Many are Sunni Muslims though most are secular, meaning not overly religious.

A little history
For hundreds of years they roamed Kurdistan, a large swath of land spanning the Northern part of the Middle East and what is today Turkey. After World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire (the powerful civilization that ruled parts of Europe, Africa and Asia from 1299-1922), the Kurds were divided across the territory of many of their historical enemies. Though promised their own state, it never materialized. Today the majority live in Turkey but you’ll find Kurds in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Armenia.

Kurds in Iraq
About 5 million Kurds live in Iraq’s northern region, or Iraqi Kurdistan. Since the early 90s, following their failed rebellion against Saddam Hussein after the first Gulf War and subsequent creation of a United Nations “safe haven” for them in Northern Iraq, they have essentially ruled themselves and have security troops and a judicial system. Under the new Iraqi Constitution they maintained much autonomy, including strong regional authority.

If you look at a timeline of Kurds in Iraq there are many periods of conflict as they tried to assert independence, and many attempts were thwarted by Saddam Hussein. In the 1980s they sided with Iran in the Iran-Iraq War and Iraqi forces unleashed a chemical warfare, killing between 50,000 and 100,000 Kurds, according to Human Rights Watch. Saddam Hussein and others are now on trial for that warfare, specifically the gassing of Halabja, to include “Chemical Ali,” his cousin whose nickname stems from these attacks. They are charged with genocide.

The big picture
The Kurds will likely play a bigger role in Iraq’s government, already representing 20% of parliament. The president is Kurdish, too. Their region is oil rich, and should the United States put “permanent” military bases in Iraq, they may end up in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Lights, action, midterms!

Midterm elections are like midterm exams, seemingly less important as finals but packed with a particular punch. This year a handful of Senate races could tip the balance of power in Congress, several states could elect their first female governor, and controversial ballot issues are expected to help drive voters to the polls. In addition, all 435 House of Representatives are up for re-election.

First, a refresher
Of the 100 senators in Congress, about one-third of them are up for re-election on Tuesday. Winners serve six-year terms. Currently there are 55 Republican senators, 44 Democrats and one independent from Vermont. (See breakdown by state.)

To tip the power back in their favor in the Senate, Democrats have to win six seats. A recent CNN poll shows states with the closest election battles in Missouri, Tennessee, New Jersey and Ohio.

In the House, Democrats occupy 201 seats versus 230 Republican seats, and could take control by winning 15 seats.

A roundup
Thirty-six states will vote for a governor, and a woman could take the helm in Nevada, Illinois and Alaska for the first time in those states.

In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is favored to win that spot again, but the big-ticket fight there is over Proposition 87, a ballot initiative to tax big oil companies $4 billion over 10 years to fund alternative energy research.

And while polls show Iraq at the top of voter’s list of issues overall, other state initiatives are taking focus. There's an abortion ban up for a vote in South Dakota (see previous WeeklyDIVA), the boiling stem cell debate in Missouri, and same-sex marriage consideration in Wisconsin and South Dakota.

The big picture
The outcome of these mid-terms could set the tone for the next presidential election, just two years away. And even if the Republicans maintain control of both houses, you’re still likely to see a shift in Congress.