OSH, southern Kyrgyzstan, and the FERGANA VALLEY, Uzbekistan – A constant smirk is imprinted on his face. In his black-padded traditional Uzbek cloak, black boots, white skullcap and sporting an incipient beard, Alisher (not his real name), a young man in his mid-20s, is either despondent, extremely self-assured, or both. He is not rural madrassa fodder: he […]