On the charred side of a building in the troubled town of Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan’s energy-rich west hangs a poster of a smiling President Nursultan Nazarbayev above a slogan: “Congratulations on the Independence Holiday!”
There will be no New Year's fireworks in Osh this year. They have been banned in the southern Kyrgyz city, along with parties in restaurants, bars, and all other public places over the winter holiday season.
