Afghanistan: A Critical Battle in the Country’s Culture War Looms
BY DEIRDRE TYNAN
On the battlefields of southern and eastern Afghanistan, Islamic insurgents are struggling to persevere in the face of the formidable firepower of NATO and American forces. In the country’s culture war, however, religious radicals are poised to achieve a spectacular victory, according to two self-styled free speech advocates.

Official to US: Azerbaijan "Proceeding on Its Own Path"
BY MINA MURADOVA
Six months ahead of Azerbaijan’s presidential elections, American criticism of President Ilham Aliyev administration’s political practices suggest that the normally strong relations between Washington and Baku have hit a speed bump. Some local analysts contend that the sharp exchanges are not that unusual during a campaign season, and have little significance for long-term relations.

Iran: From Germany, Rap Group Challenges Male-Dominated Society
BY ANTOINE BLUA
Not allowed to sing in Iran about the harsh treatment of women in society, the Iranian rap group Tapesh 2012 (Pulse 2012) is doing just that -- from its base in Germany. The group’s latest song, "Ma Mard Nistim" ("We Are Not Men"), focuses on the Iranian feminist movement and its struggle to overcome violence against women.
A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL

Georgia: US and EU support for Tbilisi Grows amid Escalating Tension with Russia
BY NINA AKHMETELI
With Georgian-Russian tension over the break-away territory of Abkhazia continuing to rise, the United States and European Union are stepping up diplomatic intervention efforts.