Podcast: Russia's New Opposition Poster Boy; Volatile Pakistan; Women's Day Roundtable

In this week's episode, correspondent Gregory Feifer profiles Vladimir Milov, the handsome, well-spoken politician who hopes to become the first presidential candidate to challenge the Kremlin on behalf of a unified opposition.

Ron Synovitz picks the brain of our Pakistan specialist, Abubakar Siddique, about the current situation in that volatile country, following two high-profile assassinations and a spate of suicide bombings.

We marvel at the vocal talents of the "Tatar Beat Box," Islam Valiev, an economics major at Kazan State University (see video below).

And we mark the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day by looking at the roles that women play in Uzbekistan, Chechnya, and Afghanistan. Amina Umarova of the North Caucasus Service and Zamira Eshanova of the Uzbek Service participate along with an Afghan colleague in a lively roundtable discussion.

This week's host is Daisy Sindelar. If you have a comment on "The Blender," post it below or write to podcast@rferl.org.

Listen to or download the latest episode of "The Blender" below or subscribe to "The Blender" on iTunes. For previous episodes of "The Blender," click here.

The Blender -- Episode 9

RFE/RL's The Blender -- 3/11/11 (Episode 9)

"Tatar Beat Box" Islam Valiev:

Татар “beat box”чысы Ислам Вәлиев